Research Projects
HUB Cycling's Research Program undertakes strategic research to support our mandate of making cycling more accessible to all. Broad collaboration with governmental bodies, academics, not-for-profit organizations, and other partners is key to HUB's completion of research projects that have practical applications and broad impacts.
The State of Cycling in Metro Vancouver: 2016-2021
HUB Cycling is pleased to share our second benchmarking analysis of the Metro Vancouver bike route network. This report is the next stage in HUB Cycling’s ongoing State of Cycling initiative. It profiles bike route growth, comfort, and types. It compares 2016 and 2021 Canadian Census data about cycle commuting with State of Cycling network data for the same years, and also looks at network development relative to road safety data and research. New for this report is a broader health and climate resilience focus, including analyses of how factors such as slope, noise, pollution, heat and tree cover, and flooding may inform network siting and design.
Download the Full Report (PDF)
Support HUB's Research
If possible, consider making a donation to HUB Cycling and support our advocacy work in expanding the cycling network across the region. Your support enables us to make an impact on people of all ages and abilities, and promote access to cycling across regional and diverse communities.
What is the Impact of Your Generous Gift?
- $2,500 will help us develop programs for communities that may face social, cultural, and/or financial barriers to cycling.
- $250 helps us provide infrastructure research support needed for an advocacy project like cycle highways phase 2 analysis.
- $100 will help HUB organize online learning like our Biking for Mental Health webinar to encourage people of all ages and abilities to bike.
Unlocking Equity in Metro Vancouver's
Cycling Network
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. Continue reading >>
Download the Full Report (PDF)
Review the Project Highlights (PDF)
Cycle Highways
in Metro Vancouver
Cycle Highways provide safe, protected, uninterrupted cycle routes over long distances and are a cost-effective way to make cycling more accessible and practical. HUB Cycling's in-depth report highlights the case for the development and implementation of Cycle Highways in Metro Vancouver.
Long-distance, fast, comfortable cycle highways are common in Europe and have significant potential to address many pressing challenges locally in Metro Vancouver. This project draws on learnings from European and other jurisdictions that have successfully built cycle highway networks. Within the Metro Vancouver context, we illustrate the demand and benefits of cycle highways. Cycle highways would be a jump forward to #UnGapTheMap. Some existing routes that could potentially be upgraded to cycle highways are analyzed. This initial project serves to start a conversation in the region about the next steps to make cycle highways a reality.
Download the Cycle Highways in Metro Vancouver Report (PDF)
Show your Support for a Cycle Highway Network
Read the Press Release (PDF)
View Report Highlights (PDF)
Cycling and
Older Buildings Report
HUB Cycling is pleased to announce our release of Cycling and Older Buildings: Exploring the Impacts of Outdated Building Design on Access to Cycling, vital research into an issue that limits access to cycling to many people living and working in our urban region. This project was the outcome of broad financial support and collaboration with multiple private and public sector organizations, which all shared an interest in seeking solutions to the issue.
Download the Cycling and Older Buildings Report (PDF)
The State Of Cycling
in Metro Vancouver
HUB Cycling has long seen the need for a high-level analysis of our region's quickly evolving cycling network and has valued such work completed in other jurisdictions. Starting in 2018 HUB Cycling recruited TransLink to partner with us, and secured funders, to complete the Benchmarking the State of Cycling in Metro Vancouver, the first neutral snapshot of the extent and quality of bikeways across the Metro Vancouver region based on a common classification framework.
The State of Cycling report for the first time ascribes safety and comfort ratings for each segment of the network, from the Langleys and Maple Ridge to Richmond and Bowen Island. The report also documents trends related to the rates at which people living in Metro Vancouver are cycling, rates of collisions involving people cycling, and the extent to which cycling-supportive policies and practices are in place. The State of Cycling is already informing planning at the regional and municipal levels, and the intention of project partners is to regularly update the data.
Download State Of Cycling Report (PDF)Download Press Release (PDF)
Readiness for
Shared Micromobility
HUB Cycling is pleased to have completed case studies about the adoption of new forms of "Shared Micromobility" transportation in other urban regions, working with our academic partners at Simon Fraser University. The case study report is our contribution to broader SFU research completed to inform TransLink and other stakeholders as our region determines how to integrate new vehicle types into our existing transportation systems.
Shared micromobility offers transportation alternatives that generate low emissions, and low noise levels and offer flexible integration with transit; however, cities with such new mobility have struggled with its regulation and ensuring it is complementary within an established and crowded transportation system.
Thus, this project aims to explore public perceptions of shared micromobility in Metro Vancouver, understand the potential for adoption and integration with regional transit and inform policy, infrastructure needs and best practices for regulation.
Download Readiness for Shared Micromobility Report (PDF)Download Press Release
Not Just
Bike Racks
HUB Cycling is in a unique position to hear about challenges faces by different stakeholders in creating excellent cycling facilities. We understood from building developers and managers that they lacked good information to make decisions about cycling facilities, so in 2017 HUB Cycling completed the Not Just Bike Racks research project, with core support from the Real Estate Foundation of BC, to learn about the dynamics and perspectives of key decision-makers in our region's real estate industry.
The Not Just Bike Racks report findings and recommendations are ever more relevant as our region increasingly integrates cycling into our transportation systems. It explains the dynamics that are faced by industry professionals in understanding best practices, working with evolving bylaws, and ensuring their buildings remain relevant as population preferences change about how they get move around the region. And Not Just Bike Racks profiles some local examples of excellence in building design and cycling amenities choices.
Download Not Just Bike Racks Report (PDF)