Tips and Resources To Help You Start Cycling
Cycling might look like child's play, but it's still a challenge to learn, and perhaps even more so as an adult! Luckily, Metro Vancouver is a city full of cycling enthusiasts and experts. There are resources around every corner, many just a click or phone call away.
For an excellent overview on cycling in Vancouver, Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) provides background information on cycling as a sustainable transportation solution. They also support programs such as the Bicycle Valet and Bike Month that you may want to get involved with.
Tips on How to Start Cycling:
- Buy a good bike: This is an investment piece so take the time to do some research and try out different types and sizes of bicycles. Make sure it's professionally fitted so you're comfortable on it.
- Dress the part. You may find you'll need to buy new pieces specifically for cycling, such as gloves, shoes, jerseys and even compression tights. And always make sure a helmet is part of your ensemble.
- Plan your route: Use the TravelSmart Neighbourhood Map or the Cycling Metro Vancouver's Cycling Route Planner to plan your route.
- Start slowly: If you're new to cycling, ride in your immediate neighbourhood for 15 or 20 minutes for the first week or so. Every week, increase your time out by 10 minutes and soon your stamina and skills will be stronger.
- Make it social: Joining a club such as the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition will keep you busy meeting new friends who share you interest in cycling and improving cycling conditions throughout the city.
- Stay motivated: Most cyclists are enthusiastic about their sport. Share their excitement by reading cycling-related news from groups such as Cycling BC. Their bike feeds will provide you with the latest exciting news for every specific type of biking from BMX to cross-country or paracycling.
Don't forget your local community centres and bike businesses for additional support!
Other Resources
- Try the BC Parkway for a leisurely ride. Since this 26 km path roughly parallels the Expo SkyTrain Line, you may even be able to use it for your weekday commutes.
- For cyclists riding between Richmond and Vancouver, the George Massey Tunnel Bicycle Shuttle offers a free ride through the tunnel for riders and their bikes.
- On Bike BC you can follow the province's progress in building and improving cycling infrastructures in communities across BC.
- The Provincial Advocates for Transportational Cycling will keep you abreast of provincial policy and programs regarding cycling advocacy.
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PEDAL Power is a non-profit organization that develops and promotes the use of pedal-powered technology.
- In the Bike-sharing Blog, follow the experiences of an urban cyclist as she chronicles her attempts to pursue bike-sharing in Washington DC. It may provide you with some good tips, tricks and ideas for your cycling plans.
- The World Public Bike Collaborative is a European-based "city-transformative project" that encourages and supports safe cycling in every city, and often features some great ideas and articles for cyclists to consider.
And don't forget your local community centres and bike businesses for additional support! Check out your local community or rec centre for any biking seminars, safety programs or other bike training and support resources, or talk to your neighbourhood bike store, as they often are happy to provide one-to-one overviews in getting started with your new bike! Also check out our Tips and Resources for Safe Cycling page for additional resources and ideas on bike safety.
Do you have a story or tip to add about starting to cycle? Add a comment below to tell us about your experience, insert your own tips or tricks, or post a question to start a conversation with other users.