Spend a Day in Two Unique Vancouver Neighbourhoods by Bike!
HUB Cycling's Bike to Shop takes place in five Metro Vancouver neighbourhoods from August 1-31 to showcase the joy and convenience of shopping by bike.
From the high-end fashion brands and department stores of Downtown to eclectic retailers selling antiques and quirky fashion down the cobbled streets of Gastown, these two Vancouver neighbourhoods couldn't be more different, but the one thing they have in common is some of the city's best cycling infrastructure making it a breeze to bike, walk or roll between the two.
To plan your route into the neighbourhood, check out our Bike to Shop map. Routes are labelled by comfort level to help you decide which is the best street for you. If you're new to cycling for transportation, we recommend taking the "comfortable for most" route whenever possible. This means there is either a fully protected bike lane with a barrier between cars or a local bikeway, a street shared with vehicles with a lower speed limit and signage for cyclists.
Two Skytrain lines also service downtown Vancouver, so if you are planning a trip from further afield and planning on biking to transit, Granville station leads onto the protected bike path on Dunsmuir Street, and Vancouver City Centre station is just a block away from the protected Hornby Street bike path.
Explore our Bike to Shop map and discover some of our favourite local businesses.
If you're coming across Burrard Bridge, stop by Refill Road, a one-stop zero-waste shop for everyday essentials that use zero or minimal packaging. As you head into the downtown core via Hornby Street, quench your thirst and get your daily dose of vitamins at Trish Juice. There's a Mobi station for an easy drop-off or a bike rack right outside the store so you can keep an eye on your ride.
Once you've arrived Downtown, head straight to the Bike Valet outside Vancouver City Centre station at the former Nordstrom Ebar, operating 8 AM – 7 PM on weekdays and 12–5 PM on weekends. The Bike Valet is one of the most secure bike parking options, giving you peace of mind to explore the stores in nearby Pacific Centre and Hudson's Bay, followed by an afternoon of taking in the beautiful city and mountain views at the Vancouver Lookout or exploring exhibitions at the Vancouver Art Gallery and the rich Indigenous arts heritage at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art.
The Bike Valet service will be extended until 10 PM for Summer Movies Nights every Thursday from 5 PM until August 15 outside the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza.
Nestled beside Smithe Street and Richards Street bikeway, you'll find Kafka's Coffee Roasting in the new sθәqәlxenәm ts'exwts'áxwi7, meaning 'rainbow' park. Take a pit stop and marvel at this modern and sustainable public space, which was named to honour the original site where large trees once stood surrounding a marsh where the sun and mist would form rainbows.
Travel down Richards Street, along Dunsmuir and then Cambie, to arrive in the historic neighbourhood of Gastown.
Be sure to stop by the charming Poets Corner and peruse EC Rare Books's collection of antique books and take in the aroma of Nurture with Nature's selection of plant medicine wellness products. Don't miss out on the specialty brews at Revolver Coffee on your way home from a fun and empowering fitness class at Tantra Fitness.
Take advantage of the Gastown Bicycle Valet, available 12- 7 PM Sunday to Tuesday and 11 AM-10 PM Wednesday- Saturday, and enjoy dinner and a show. Check out the neighbourhood map to discover some of the finest foodie options in the city before a night of comedy at the Little Mountain Gallery, or enjoy one of the many free events happening around Water Street's new pedestrian and bike-friendly area this summer.
If you're new to shopping by bike, check out our group rides throughout Bike to Shop. These rides are great for meeting new people and exploring the city together. You can also book a tour with Cycle City Bike Shop, which, along with repair services, organizes unforgettable city tours and explores the city's best sights and hidden gems designed for all skill levels.