Unlocking Equity in Metro Vancouver's Cycling Network

Cycling has gained recognition as an effective means of improving health outcomes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and providing economic benefits to individuals and society. It offers numerous health benefits, including physical, mental, and social well-being, and can reduce healthcare costs. Furthermore, cycling contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on fossil fuel-burning modes of transportation. Economically, cycling is an affordable mode of transportation that stimulates the local economy and creates more jobs per dollar spent compared to automobile roads.

However, transportation inequities persist in Metro Vancouver, posing challenges for the region's residents. The high cost of living and low-income rates makes living in Metro Vancouver increasingly unaffordable for many households, leaving them with limited transportation options and an increasing reliance on personal vehicles. This exacerbates existing transportation inequalities. Moreover, motor vehicle transportation investments often lead to gentrification and displacement of vulnerable populations. Integrating equity considerations into cycle network planning to address these issues is crucial.

This report examines the current state of cycling infrastructure in Metro Vancouver, identifies areas of inequity, and provides recommendations for improving access to quality cycling infrastructure. 

"Given the income inequality divide and affordability crisis that currently impacts many individuals and families in Metro Vancouver, centring equity-deserving groups in transportation planning is critical, said Rowan Burdge, Provincial Director of the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition. This report puts forth excellent recommendations on how to do so, that decision-makers, planners, and other transportation stakeholders need to consider and adopt. From a poverty-reduction standpoint, building public systems and infrastructures that centre the living experiences of marginalized groups and address existing disparities is essential." 
Rowan Burdge, Provincial Director, BC Poverty Reduction Coalition

Join the Conversation: We invite you to explore the full report to delve deeper into the findings and recommendations.

Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas on how we can unlock equity in Metro Vancouver's cycling network on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Together, we can create a transportation system that is accessible, equitable, and sustainable for all.

Key Statistics

The average cost of owning and maintaining a car in Canada is $9,500 per year, while the average cost of owning and maintaining a bicycle is $300/year.^2,3 
Public transportation passes are an average of $940 per year but come with limitations for those that live in areas without nearby or frequent transit options.⁴

Only 46% of the Metro Vancouver cycling network is Comfortable for Most:

Source: State of Cycling

"Cycling infrastructure is key to achieving mobility justice in Metro Vancouver. It benefits not only people cycling but also enables individuals using micro-mobility devices like mobility scooters, which are essential for seniors and people with disabilities, to enjoy independent mobility and actively participate in their communities. I hope that this report will serve as a roadmap for more inclusive infrastructure planning with an equity lens so more and more people can choose to bike or use other means of active transportation." 
Pablo Zacarias, Executive Director, Better Environmentally Sound Transportation

Key Takeaways

HUB Cycling analyzed access to cycling infrastructure, considering social and spatial equity. 

• Social equity considers household economics, transit-dependent populations, racial/ethnic minorities, Indigenous populations, and populations with lower education levels. 
• Spatial equity was assessed in this research by analyzing vehicle access, transit access, and cycling infrastructure/route access.

The analysis revealed notable disparities in transportation equity across Metro Vancouver. Certain areas showed a disproportionately high concentration of equity-seeking groups with poor transportation access, indicating a need for targeted interventions to improve transportation access and options for these communities.

Chart caption to the right: Areas with the highest concentration of equity-seeking groups that also had limited access to comfortable cycling facilities or transit or vehicle access, denoted in shades of red, across Metro Vancouver

Join the Conversation: We invite you to explore the full report to delve deeper into the findings and recommendations.

Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas on how we can unlock equity in Metro Vancouver's cycling network on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Together, we can create a transportation system that is accessible, equitable, and sustainable for all.

Recommendations

This report recommends increasing investment in cycling infrastructure in areas of inequality, developing a regional strategy for coordinating infrastructure and reviewing existing infrastructure to identify areas for improvement. Community empowerment is also vital to ensuring that decision-making processes are inclusive. By implementing these recommendations, Metro Vancouver can create a more equitable and sustainable transportation system, reduce mortality, strengthen equity-deserving populations in urban and suburban areas, including Indigenous communities, and ensure that all residents of Metro Vancouver have access to quality cycling infrastructure while enjoying the numerous benefits of active transportation.

• Adopt an Equity-Informed Design Approach with the design and implementation of cycling infrastructure that is high quality, safe, comfortable for various users, and distributed equitably across the region.

• Define Equity Scores and Prioritize Underserved Areas. Develop equity scores considering various demographic factors and prioritize underserved areas to address inequities in bike infrastructure.

• Develop and build a safe, comfortable, and equitable regional cycling network while improving access to transit for underserved areas. This entails designing transit routes that effectively serve underserved areas, secure bike parking and other connections for multi-modal users, ensuring affordability and reliability of transit options, and considering access to employment opportunities through transit.

• Engage and Empower Vulnerable Populations, including racialized communities, low-income individuals, and women, to understand their specific transportation needs and address the barriers they face.

• Incorporate UNDRIP (The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) in Active Transportation Planning.

• Monitor and Evaluate Equity Outcomes: Establish mechanisms for monitoring and regularly evaluating the impact of infrastructure improvements on vulnerable populations to ensure that the intended goals of increased accessibility and equity are being achieved.

"Our report emphasizes the significant potential of cycling to help bridge the transportation gap and advance social equity. Not only does cycling offer affordability, improved health, and community cohesion, but it also contributes to climate mitigation efforts, making it a multifaceted solution with far-reaching benefits. By enhancing connectivity, promoting active transportation, and providing equal opportunities for all, we can build a more resilient and equitable Metro Vancouver." 
Erin O’Melinn, Executive Director, HUB Cycling

Project Team

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge that this report would not have been possible without the collective efforts and collaboration of all those involved. 

We are grateful to TransLink for their collaboration and support. The joint efforts between TransLink and HUB Cycling on the Cycle Highways in Metro Vancouver project provided crucial data and insights that enriched the content and recommendations of this report.

We acknowledge the researchers and professionals who have dedicated their time and expertise to studying equity in transportation. Metro Vancouver's Social Equity & Regional Growth project, along with previous work on cycling infrastructure distribution, have deepened our understanding of the persistent disparities and the need for equitable planning practices.

We want to extend our special thanks to the Cycle Highway Working Group for their invaluable contributions to developing the equity elements during the cycle highway project. Their feedback and insights have been instrumental in shaping the foundation of this report on transportation equity. Working Group members included Geneviève Bowers, Navdeep Chhina, Gavin Davidson, Lisa Josephson, Paul Kennedy, Erin O'Melinn, and Alex Taciuk.

Thank you for your contributions and commitment to promoting equity in transportation planning in Metro Vancouver.

1 TransLink: Transport 2050: Regional Transportation Strategy. Published 2022.
2 Canadian Automobile Association: This Simple App Reveals the True Cost of Car Ownership. Published 2018.
3 Victoria Transport Policy Institute: Transportation Cost Estimates. Published 2022.
4 Global News: Own a car? You won’t believe how much that’s costing you every year. Published 2021.