New report shows decrease in cycling collisions since 2017

TransLink and HUB Cycling’s 2024 report on the State of Cycling in Metro Vancouver shows we’ve made progress in expanding the region’s cycling network.

Metro Vancouver’s cycling network has grown to nearly 5,000 kilometres. Since 2019, we have built 466 lane kilometres of traffic-separated bikeways, making it safer and easier for people to choose cycling.

The numbers back it up.

Nearly 70 per cent of Metro Vancouver residents live within 400 metres of safer, traffic-separated bikeways — an increase from 65 per cent in 2019.

Cycling safety has improved, with the collision rate involving cyclists decreasing from 25.1 collisions per million trips between 2013-2017 to 22.4 collisions per million trips from 2018-2022.

Other key findings include:

• Up to 400,000 adults in Metro Vancouver cycle at least once per week in the summer.
• Nearly 70 per cent of adults in the region who have cycled in the summer months want to cycle more.
• The percentage of cycling trips made by women and girls increased to 37 per cent and counts for one-third of the region’s cycling trips.

The report also measures programs supporting active transportation in the region.

Since 2019, nearly 70 per cent of students in grades 4 to 7 have completed cycling education, making them more likely to choose cycling as a convenient transportation mode in adulthood. Cycling education programs are offered by schools in 19 of the 23 local governments in Metro Vancouver.

“HUB Cycling looks forward to the continue positive collaboration with TransLink to keep the State of Cycling initiative moving forward,” says HUB Cycling’s Director of Program Development Timothy Welsh. “State of Cycling data will empower us to create an equitable, connected, safe, and welcoming cycle route network for all residents of our region.”

The Access for Everyone plan calls for building an additional 450 kilometres of safer, traffic-separated cycling paths to connect communities across the region, but the plan still requires funding. TransLink is actively working with the Mayors’ Council and senior levels of government to secure funding for the plan to meet the needs of the region.