Photo by Nizar Firmansyah on Unsplash
Canada's urban landscapes are transforming as cities prioritize sustainable transportation, with a notable surge in cycling infrastructure capturing national attention. Researchers at Simon Fraser University (SFU) have spotlighted this evolution through a comprehensive analysis, revealing substantial expansions that promise healthier, greener communities. Yet, the growth raises critical questions about accessibility and equity, underscoring the need for inclusive planning.
This momentum aligns with broader public health and environmental goals, where active transportation like cycling reduces reliance on cars, cuts emissions, and boosts physical activity. As Canadian cities adapt to post-pandemic mobility shifts and climate imperatives, the SFU findings offer a timely benchmark for policymakers, urban planners, and residents alike.
🔄 Decoding the SFU Research on Cycling Network Expansion
The landmark study, "Mapping change in cycling infrastructure across Canada: What, where and for whom?", published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health in December 2025, provides the first nationwide assessment of changes from 2022 to 2024. Led by Meghan Winters, a professor in SFU's Faculty of Health Sciences, the research draws on open-source OpenStreetMap (OSM) data classified via the Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety (Can-BICS) system. This tool categorizes infrastructure into high, medium, and low comfort-safety levels based on features like separation from traffic, surface quality, and connectivity.
Winters and her team emphasize that while raw kilometers matter, quality and distribution determine real-world impact. "Total distance is one metric, but it's not the only consideration—it's important to look at the type of infrastructure and who benefits from access," Winters noted. The study builds on SFU's earlier work, including the 2022 Canada-wide cycling map, advancing tools for evidence-based urban development.
For those pursuing careers in public health or transportation research, projects like this exemplify opportunities in academia. Explore research jobs to contribute to similar impactful studies.
National Growth Snapshot: Impressive Gains Nationwide
Between 2022 and 2024, Canada's cycling infrastructure ballooned by 15.3%, from 23,502 kilometers to 27,098 kilometers—an addition equivalent to the Toronto-Edmonton distance. This boom reflects federal and municipal commitments, including active transportation funding under Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy.
Breakdown by type reveals priorities:
- Multi-use paths (medium comfort, off-road or buffered): +2,725 km (75.8% increase)
- Painted bike lanes (low comfort, road-adjacent): +492 km (5.8% increase)
- Bike-only paths and cycle tracks (high comfort): +49 km (46.7% increase)
Small- and medium-sized cities led proportional growth, signaling grassroots momentum beyond major metros. Statistics Canada complements this with its Cycling Network Database, covering 18,700 km across 75 municipalities as of 2025, validating the upward trajectory.
City Spotlights: Leaders in Infrastructure Buildout
Edmonton emerged as a frontrunner, adding significant kilometers amid its Urban Active Transportation Plan. Calgary followed, leveraging oil-to-green transitions with buffered lanes in high-traffic corridors. Toronto, despite political debates over bike lanes, expanded networks supporting 6.9 million bike-share rides in 2024—a doubling since 2020.
Montreal stands out for equity-focused expansion via the Réseau Express Vélo (REV), a 191 km high-speed network extending into suburbs. This contrasts with Vancouver's plateau: extensive pre-existing paths but minimal new additions, highlighting varying municipal paces.
Smaller cities like Victoria (18.7% active transport mode share) and Halifax (12.3%) demonstrate how targeted investments yield high usage, informing scalable models. For urban planners eyeing Canada, check Canadian higher ed opportunities.
Infrastructure Types: From Painted Lines to Protected Paths
Can-BICS defines high-comfort options like physically separated cycle tracks and bike-only paths as safest, ideal for all ages. Medium-comfort multi-use paths, popular in new builds, accommodate pedestrians and cyclists off-road. Low-comfort painted lanes, while cheaper, offer limited protection against vehicles.
The study's data shows a welcome shift toward higher-quality builds, though painted lanes still dominate volume. Step-by-step planning involves OSM tagging, Can-BICS algorithms, ground-truthing via imagery, and validation with city GIS teams—ensuring accuracy for policy.
Equity Gaps: Who Is Left Behind?
Despite gains, growth favors privileged areas: downtown cores for commuters, bypassing neighborhoods with higher children, seniors, or lower incomes. Areas with greater walkability or density saw slower expansion, exacerbating divides. Winters observes, "Things are improving, but not everyone is feeling those improvements."
Spatial analysis linked infrastructure changes to census data, revealing underserved suburbs where everyday trips—to schools or groceries—dominate. Montreal's REV counters this by prioritizing connectivity, a model for others. Addressing equity demands neighborhood audits and inclusive budgeting.Read the full SFU study for detailed metrics.
Health and Economic Ripple Effects
Cycling infrastructure yields multifaceted benefits. SFU's IBIMS project in Victoria, Kelowna, and Halifax quantified health gains: reduced obesity, better mental health, and lower healthcare costs. A 2021 PLOS One analysis estimated millions in savings from increased active travel.
Economically, bike-friendly cities attract tourism and retail; Edmonton's counts rose 15% from 2022-2024, boosting local economies. Environmentally, mode shifts cut emissions—vital as Canada targets net-zero. Public health researchers drive these insights; see academic career advice.
Overcoming Challenges: Winter, Funding, and Politics
Canada's harsh winters pose maintenance hurdles; cities like Guelph debate snow-clearing budgets. Funding competes with roads, while political pushback—seen in Toronto—slows progress. Equity requires anti-displacement measures amid gentrification risks.
- Prioritize winter-rated paths
- Secure stable grants via federal programs
- Engage communities for buy-in
Solutions include public-private partnerships and data-driven advocacy, as SFU demonstrates.SFU News release
Future Outlook: Toward Inclusive Networks
Prospects are bright with StatsCan expansions and provincial plans. Recommendations: neighborhood connectivity, all-ages designs, and equity audits. Montreal's $564M decade-long pledge signals commitment, potentially inspiring nationwide replication.
For researchers, this field offers growth; SFU exemplifies interdisciplinary impact. Job seekers, visit higher ed jobs, rate my professor, and career advice.
As Canada pedals forward, balancing growth with fairness will define success, fostering vibrant, sustainable cities for all.
Photo by Suzanne Rushton on Unsplash
