Getting to and From Victoria:
Q Are there ways to transport a bike via public transportation?
A Both buses and ferries can transport bikes.
Bus: bikes can be taken most places that BC Transit goes. Their routes extend from Victoria to Sidney, Brentwood Bay, Colwood and Sooke. BC Transit can be contacted as follows: ph (250) 382-6161 or Victoria_Busline@bctransit.com. Their website is www.bctransit.com.
Ferries: Except for the Victoria Harbour Ferries, all ferries, including B.C. Ferries, Washington StateFerries, and Blackball Ferries will take bicycles. They all charge a fee. This is usually less than $5 each way.
Q What is the closest bike shop to the airport? (for boxing bikes and repairs
secondary to damage while travelling)
A See the list of bike shop locations that is attached.
Legal Issues:
Q Are there any
legal requirements to riding a bike in B.C.?
A Yes.
Cyclists can be ticketed for not wearing helmets, for riding on the
sidewalk, for not obeying traffic rules as per the motor vehicle act,
and for not having both a headlight and tail light (in addition to
reflectors) after dark. It is against the law to ride double. Cyclists
who abide by the Motor Vehicle Act may be entitled to some
compensation if they are in an accident where a vehicle was deemed by
the Insurance Corporation of B.C. to be at fault. A license is not
required.
Q What can you tell me about crime in the area as it pertains to cyclists?
A There is
nothing atypical about cycling and crime in the Victoria area.
Guidelines that apply elsewhere apply here. Keep the bike locked with
a secure lock, and preferably in a well-lit and well-traveled area.
Accommodation:
Q What is the
closest accommodation to the airport?
A
Travelodge:
Victoria Airport Travelodge
2280 Beacon Ave
Sidney, British Columbia V8L 1X1
Canada
Price Range: 55.00 - 155.00
Q What is the closest accommodation to the ferry terminal
at Swartz Bay?
A
A Cozy Guest Retreat B&B
2280 Amity Drive 656-8073
Lovat House Seaside B&B
9625 2nd Street 656-3188
Q Camping?
A Nearest camping is at McDonald
Provincial Park - sites should be reserved through BC
Environment, http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/reserve/group.htm.
The Galloping Goose and other Trails:
Q Is there
anywhere to buy food along the Galloping Goose Trail?
A Yes, many
places. However, between Colwood and Sooke, eateries are limited, so
in that area, one should take a lunch. The first eatery after Colwood
is the Sizzling Fox at the next intersection of the highway and the
trail after leaving Roche Cove.
Q What
condition are rural roads in for cyclists?
A Road
conditions vary. The Trans Canada Highway has a shoulder both ways the
entire length?? A few roads are gravel, however, most roads are
paved. Some roads do not have shoulders. Speed limits on these roads are
50 to 80 km/hr.
Q Are there
roads that cyclists are not allowed onto?
A No.
Bicycle Clubs:
Q:
Are there any cycling organizations?
A:
Yes, some are listed below.
Cycling Associations:
Cycle Tourism Advisory Committee bhobson@cyclingvictoria.com
Greater
Victoria Cycling Coalition
(250)-480-5155 gvcc@gvcc.bc.ca
1275 Oscar Street, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8V 2X6
South
Island Mountain Bike Society
(250)-477-2455 info@simbs.com
#215-2680 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8T 4E4
Bike Problems/ Bike Shops:
Q Where can I
get my bike fixed?
A See list of
bike shops.
Q Is there
anywhere to rent a mountain bike?
A Yes there are several places in town. Try Sports Rent (250-385-7368); Cycle Victoria Rentals
(250-380-2453/ 385-2453)
Q Is there
anywhere to rent a road bike?
A See above information.
Q Where can I
go mountain biking?
A Hartland
Park. This is accessible only by vehicle, and is in Central Saanich.
Details of Cycling in Victoria:
Q How hilly
is Victoria?
A Topographical
maps are available from Crown Publications. While Victoria is hilly,
none of the hills are over 350 meters
(Mt Douglas), and most of these are in parklands. The summit on
Malahat via the Trans Canada Hwy is 395??
meters but this can be avoided by taking the Brentwood Bay Ferry to
Mill Bay.
Q How
accessible is water en route?
A There are
ample grocery stores, restaurants and pubs in the urban areas. When
cycling in the rural areas, one needs to take ample water with them.
Q Is cycling
allowed on trails in the parks?
A That
depends on the park. Some parks allow no cycling, while other parks
allow cycling only on trails that are 3+ meters wide. For Technical
Mountain biking there is Hartland Park where all trails are for
mountain biking.
Q Are there
any local hazards or environmental concerns that one should be aware
of?
A It is not
recommended that people travel on isolated trails or logging roads
alone due to cougars. Active logging roads are not recommended for
cycling.
Q Are there
any guidebooks to cycling in Victoria?
A Yes.
Touring the Islands by Peter Powers and Renee Travis. Includes the San
Juan, Gulf, and Vancouver Islands. Island Cycling by David
Payne.