Cycling in Vancouver is fun, amazingly scenic, and very popular. Cycling maps are available at most bicycle retailers and rental outlets. Some West End hotels offer guests bike storage and rentals. Hourly rentals run around C$5 (US$4/£2.50) for a one-speed "Cruiser" to C$10 (US$8/£4.50) for a top-of-the-line mountainbike; C$15 to C$40 (US$13-US$34/£7-£18) for a day, helmets and locks included. Popular shops that rent city and mountainbikes, child trailers, child seats, and in-line skates (protective gear included) include Spokes Bicycle Rentals & Espresso Bar, 1798 W. Georgia St. (tel. 604/688-5141; www.spokesbicyclerentals.com), at the corner of Denman Street at the entrance to Stanley Park; Alley Cat Rentals, 1779 Robson St., in the alley (tel. 604/684-5117); and Bayshore Bicycle and Rollerblade Rentals, 745 Denman St. (tel. 604/688-2453; www.bayshorebikerentals.ca). Note: Be advised that wearing a helmet is mandatory, and one will be included in your bike rental.
The most popular cycling path in the city runs along the seawall around the perimeter of Stanley Park, although portions of this might be closed in 2008 because of the restoration work following the December 2006 windstorm. Offering magnificent views of the city, the Burrard Inlet, the mountains, and English Bay, this flat, 10km (6 1/4-mile) pathway attracts year-round bicyclists, in-line skaters, and pedestrians. (Note: Runners and cyclists have separate lanes on developed park and beach paths.) Another popular route is the seaside bicycle route, a 15km (9 1/3-mile) ride that begins at English Bay and continues around False Creek to the University of British Columbia. Some of this route follows city streets that are well marked with cycle-path signs; the sights include the Plaza of Nations, Science World, Granville Island, the Pacific Space Centre, the Kitsilano Pool and the Jericho Sailing Centre, and the University of British Columbia, home to the UBC Botanical Garden, Nitobe Japanese Garden, and the lush Pacific Spirit Park.
Serious mountainbikers also have a wealth of world-class options within a short drive from downtown Vancouver. The trails on Grouse Mountain are some of the lower mainland's best. The very steep Good Samaritan Trail on Mount Seymour connects to the Baden-Powell Trail and the Bridle Path near Mount Seymour Road. Local mountainbikers love the cross-country ski trails on Hollyburn Mountain in Cypress Provincial Park, just northeast of Vancouver on the road to Whistler on Highway 99. Closer to downtown, both Pacific Spirit Park and Burnaby Mountain offer excellent beginner and intermediate off-road trails.
