Buying a bicycle

A used bike is much less expensive than a new one. You can find used bikes for sale through various online platforms (eg., Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace) and some bicycle stores. Your bike must have a bell and front and rear lights. You must also wear a helmet; it is the law. Bike theft is common — buy a good bicycle lock and use it whenever you leave your bike unattended.

Rules of the road

Vancouver and Burnaby have developed a system of bikeways for cyclists. In Canada, cyclists must follow the same traffic safety laws as anyone driving a motorized vehicle.

For your personal safety and that of others, remember to:

• ride on the bike paths or on the right side of the road, and not on the sidewalks
• yield to pedestrians, red lights and stop signs
• ride single-file
• hand-signal before turning

Most buses are equipped for bike transportation. The SkyTrain also allows you to bring your bike aboard during non-rush-hour traffic. Visit the TransLink website for detailed cycling information and route maps.