Discovering the Surge: SFU's Landmark Study on Canada's Bike Network Growth

Canada's urban landscapes are pedaling toward a greener future, thanks to a remarkable expansion in cycling infrastructure. A groundbreaking study from Simon Fraser University (SFU), published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health in December 2025, reveals that between 2022 and 2024, the nation's cycling networks grew by 3,596 kilometers—from 23,502 km to 27,098 km, marking a 15.3% increase. This boom, equivalent to the distance from Toronto to Edmonton, underscores a national commitment to active transportation.

Lead researcher Meghan Winters, a professor in SFU's Faculty of Health Sciences and director of the Cities, Health, and Active Transportation Research (CHATR) Lab, emphasizes that while total distance is impressive, the quality and accessibility matter most. 'When environments are supportive, cycling can be a healthy, fun, environmentally friendly, and low-cost way to get around,' Winters notes. Yet, the study highlights that not all communities are reaping equal benefits, setting the stage for deeper exploration into equity and planning.

Behind the Data: Methodology of the SFU Cycling Infrastructure Mapping

The SFU team built on their 2022 creation of Canada's first comprehensive national cycling map, leveraging open-source OpenStreetMap data from both 2022 and 2024. They applied the Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety (Can-BICS) classification system—a standardized framework developed by CHATR Lab researchers to categorize infrastructure into high, medium, and low comfort levels based on safety and user experience. High-comfort options include protected bike-only paths, medium-comfort features multi-use paths away from roads, and low-comfort painted lanes alongside traffic.

This rigorous, nationwide analysis covered dissemination areas—small geographic units used in Canadian census data—to assess changes at granular levels, revealing patterns in where and how infrastructure was added. By focusing on verifiable, crowdsourced geospatial data, the study provides policymakers with actionable insights, free from municipal reporting biases.

Breaking Down the Numbers: Types of Infrastructure Driving the Boom

The expansion wasn't uniform across types. Multi-use paths, classified as medium-comfort and often separated from roadways, dominated with 2,725 km added—a whopping 75.8% increase. These paths appeal to families and casual riders, offering versatility for commuting and recreation. Painted bike lanes, low-comfort options sharing road space with vehicles, grew by 492 km (5.8%), while high-comfort bike-only paths surged 46.7% with 49 km added.

This shift toward safer designs aligns with evidence that protected lanes reduce injury risks by up to 50% compared to shared roadways. For urban planners and higher education professionals in urban studies, these stats signal a maturing network prioritizing user safety over mere quantity.

• Multi-use paths: +2,725 km (75.8% growth) – Ideal for diverse users.
• Painted lanes: +492 km (5.8%) – Cost-effective but less safe.
• Bike-only paths: +49 km (46.7%) – Premium safety for confident cyclists.

City Spotlights: Where the Growth is Happening Most

Large metros led in absolute gains: Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto added the most kilometers, reflecting population density and commuter demands. Toronto's ongoing bike lane push connects key employment hubs, while Calgary's investments target river valleys for recreational use. Smaller and medium-sized cities shone in proportional growth, like Victoria, which tripled cycling rates over a decade through targeted networks—a model for others.

Montreal stands out with its Réseau Express Vélo (REV), extending 191 km of express bike routes into suburbs, fostering neighborhood connectivity beyond downtown cores. In contrast, Vancouver, despite a strong base, added little during this period, highlighting variability in municipal priorities.

Equity Challenges: Who is Left Behind in the Bike Boom?

Despite progress, equity gaps persist. Areas with higher proportions of children and older adults—key groups for lifelong cycling—saw minimal growth. Investments cluster in downtowns for commuters (only 25% of trips), sidelining school runs, grocery errands, and social outings. Lower-income and Indigenous communities often lag, exacerbating health disparities.

SFU's analysis urges planners to integrate equity metrics, such as proximity to essential services. For researchers eyeing research assistant jobs in public health, this underscores the need for inclusive data models.

Federal and Provincial Support Fueling the Expansion

Federal investments via the Active Transportation Fund and Canada Community-Building Fund have poured billions into paths and bridges since 2024. Provinces like B.C. offer grants paused for review in 2025, while Nova Scotia secured funds for coastal trails.Federal Announcement These align with national goals to boost active travel mode share, currently around 2% for commuting but rising in leaders like Victoria (highest nationally).

Health Canada and Infrastructure Canada collaborate on datasets, amplifying SFU's work for evidence-based spending.

Health and Economic Wins: Why Cycling Infrastructure Pays Off

Studies from SFU's IBIMS project in mid-sized cities show bike networks yield health savings—reduced obesity, better mental health—and economic boosts via tourism and retail. A PLOS ONE analysis of Victoria, Kelowna, and Halifax pegged benefits at millions in healthcare offsets per km invested.

• Increased physical activity: 41.7% of Canadians use active transport for errands.
• Safety gains: Protected lanes cut serious injuries by 50%.
• Economic ripple: Bike-friendly cities attract talent and visitors.

For aspiring academics in health sciences, CHATR Lab exemplifies impactful research.

Can-BICS: The Backbone of Standardized Cycling Assessment

The Can-BICS system, pioneered by Winters' team, standardizes naming: low-comfort (painted lanes), medium (multi-use paths), high (separated paths). Adopted by Statistics Canada, it enables apples-to-apples comparisons nationwide.CHATR Lab Can-BICS

This tool empowers universities like SFU to lead in urban health research, informing policies that prioritize vulnerable users.

Future Directions: Recommendations from SFU Experts

Winters advocates neighborhood-focused builds, emulating Montreal's REV for connectivity. Small cities should leverage federal funds for high-comfort paths, addressing equity via demographic mapping. Mode share targets—like Calgary's 20-25% active trips—demand sustained investment.

Emerging trends: E-bike integration and winter maintenance to extend seasons.

Photo by Jan Budomo on Unsplash

Opportunities in Cycling Research and Higher Education

SFU's CHATR Lab exemplifies how university research drives policy. Aspiring scholars can explore faculty positions or research assistant roles in transportation health. Platforms like Rate My Professor highlight mentors like Winters.

Check higher ed jobs and career advice for paths into this booming field. Explore university jobs in Canada to contribute to sustainable mobility.