Langara College is beautifully situated in a serene neighbourhood of Vancouver, and is easily accessible by bicycle. The Ontario Street and 37th Avenue Bikeways both offer scenic routes to the campus, and are very cyclist-friendly. If you choose to use transit for part of your commute, all TransLink buses are now equipped with front-end bicycle racks (2 bicycle capacity), and bicycles are welcome on the new Canada Line with no peak hour restrictions.
Facilities
Langara College is committed to improving cycling facilities as a key part of our sustainability plans. Once you arrive on campus, you will find bike racks adjacent to all major buildings and entranceways.
For students: There is a secured bike lock-up area in the underground parkade beneath the Library Building (access card available at the Bookstore); an air hose, lockers, and shower facilities are located in the Gym nearby.
For employees: an employee-only bike lock-up area with shower facilities and air hose are availalbe in the underground parkade.
The Langara Students’ Union building offers a bike repair facility.
Safety
Cyclists are subject to the same traffic rules and regulations on the road as cars, and are afforded the same rights and privileges. Please remember to obey all traffic and bicycle safety rules. Sharing the road can be unnerving for many potential cyclists, but proper bicycle safety education can give you the skills to ride safely and with confidence. Be on the lookout for bicycle safety skills workshops and courses offered at Langara College through HUB (formerly the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition).
Theft Prevention
Bicycles can be a major financial investment, so please take care to properly secure your bicycles on campus. At minimum, a solid body u-lock should be used to secure the frame (not wheel) of your bicycle to a proper bike rack, and any valuables should be removed. The secured bike lock-up offers a caged storage area for bicycles that will only be accessible to students with a registered access card.
Reasons to Cycle
There are many excellent reasons why cycling is such an attractive commute choice for so many in the Langara community.
Enjoyment
Vancouver is consistently regarded as one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. Cycling affords you the chance to enjoy the city and fresh air on a regular basis. Many people choose to cycle simply because it is fun and relaxing, and new cyclists will often incorporate recreational cycling into their healthier lifestyle.
Health
Regular exercise and healthy eating habits will have a big impact on your physical and emotional well-being, and can be important for academic success. Cycling is a great tool to fight growing obesity and sedentary lifestyle habits. Choosing cycling means less time spent at the gym, and making the most of your commute time.
Time
One-third of trips in the Lower Mainland are less than 5 kilometres, a distance which in many cases can be reached faster by bicycle than any other means of transportation. Taking advantage of dedicated bikeways and designated lanes, bicycle travel means not having to contend with gridlock and traffic delays.
Money
Your fuel costs are now your food costs; more money for food = good! Fuel your body and brain.
Environment
Cycling consumes no fossil fuels and produces zero emissions. Choosing cycling will reduce your carbon footprint, but the impact is in fact much greater. Cycling alleviates the need for road upkeep, new construction, infrastructure development, and parking land use, which all contribute significantly to the hidden carbon costs of driving.
Resources
- UBC Cycling Metro Vancouver trip planner and calorie counter
Cycling route planner that takes into account elevation, climb, traffic, bike routes, and will give calorie count
Information, Event, and Advocacy Groups