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Bike the Night Vancouver

Bike the Night Vancouver

Hosted by HUB Cycling, Bike the Night is a 10-km cycling event from Sunset Beach and through the streets of downtown Vancouver one evening in mid-September.

Bike the Night did not take place in 2020 due to concerns about the coronavirus and the need for people not to congregate in large groups. The event didn’t take place in 2021 or 2022 either (at least not to our knowledge). We hope that it will be able to return in 2023.

 

Bike the Night Cycling Event

In 2019 Bike the Night took place on Saturday, September 7th. It was the event’s 4th year.

At the event participants gather at Sunset Beach between 6:00 and 8:00 pm during which time there are vendor booths, bike tune-up stations and DJ music for people to check out and enjoy.

In previous years over 5,000 people have attended the event.

 

Colourful Bike the Night Character
In Costume at Bike the Night

 

About Bike the Night

Bike the Night is an annual event organized by HUB Cycling, a non-profit organization that seeks to improve cycling conditions in Metro Vancouver.

 

Participant Cost

The cost to participate in Bike the Night in 2018 was $20 per person, but it was free for children ages 16 and under. Also, early bird tickets as well as discounts for HUB members were available. To give an idea of what to expect, 2019 prices are listed below. Ticket prices in future years will likely be comparable.

 

2019 Early Bird Prices

In 2019, if you got the Early Bird price by August 10th, HUB members paid only $11.25. Rates for other participants ages 17 and older were around the following:

  • The Basic Rate: $17
  • Basic Rate plus 1-year HUB Membership: $41.25
  • Basic Rate plus 1-year HUB Family Membership (for a family of up to four people): $51.25

 

Post-Early Bird Prices

If you missed the August 10th Early Bird deadline, participation cost about an extra 15% in 2019:

  • The Basic Rate: $20
  • Basic Rate plus 1-year HUB Membership: $45
  • Basic Rate plus 1-year HUB Family Membership (for a family of up to four people): $55
  • Student Rate: $5 (with valid student ID)

You could register on the day if you want, and pay by credit card, but you would have paid slightly more and also would have risked having to stand in a long lineup. Prices may vary, for more details click the Bike the Night official page.

 

Having Fun at Bike the Night
Bike the Night at Sunset Beach

 

What’s Included with Admission?

For the cost of admission to the event participants get access to the kick-off party where folk listen to DJ music, receive giveaway swag from sponsors, have their equipment tuned up and get their bikes registered at the Crime Prevention booth. Attendees are also entered to win a grand prize (which in past years has been a new bike).

Proceeds from the Bike the Night event benefit HUB Cycling, which is a great cause and valuable community organization.

 

Cycling Routes Past and Present

Up until 2019, Bike the Night used to start and end at Concord Pacific Place near False Creek in Vancouver. In 2019, however, it had a new base venue and a slightly (although not entirely) different route.

In past years the pre-party event has taken place from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Concord Pacific Place which is located between BC Place Stadium and Science World at the eastern tip of False Creek. From there participants headed out on their bikes along Pacific Boulevard, though Chinatown, over the Burrard Street Bridge and along the southern side of False Creek before returning to Concord Pacific Place.

In 2019 Bike the Night began and finished at the event’s new pre-party venue at Sunset Beach which is located around the 1100 block of Beach Avenue (near the end of Bute and Thurlow). The pre-party festivities started at 6:00 pm and the actual bike riding part of the event started at around 8 o’clock.

In 2019 riders headed south on Beach Avenue, along Pacific boulevard to Quebec Street, and then west along 1st Avenue and then West 6th Avenue. Cyclists then went along West 3rd Avenue to Burrard Street, cross the Burrard Street Bridge and then headed back to Sunset Beach. Route details will likely be comparable in future years.

 

Bike the Night on Pacific Boulevard
Bike the Night cyclists on Pacific Boulevard

 

Tips and Advice

Below are some suggestions on how to make the most out of your Bike the Night experience.

TIP #1: Ride your bike to the event if you can. The False Creek Seawall is just steps from the start and finish, and it connects conveniently with so many other parts of town.

TIP #2: Go with a group of friends! The more the merrier!

TIP #3: If you hope to take advantage of the free bike tune-ups, arrive early and join the line-up right away. It’s a popular benefit, the line-up gets long and the service ends before 8:00 pm.

TIP #4: 10 km might seem like a long ways if you’re not used to riding a bike, but it’s not really that far. Also, most participants roll along at a leisurely speed and there are virtually no hills. It’s a perfect route for novices, young families and people of all ages. It’s not challenging and it’s not a race! It’s just fun!

TIP #5: Feel free to dress up crazy and cover your bike with lights. You won’t be the only one!

TIP #6: Another leisurely cycling event you might be interested in is Bike the Blossoms which takes place in April. It’s one of a series of events during the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.

 

Bike the Night Cyclists
Riding with Friends at Bike the Night

 

Other Information

If you’ve ever wanted to dress up in costume, decorate your bike with lights and cycle leisurely through the streets of downtown Vancouver at night along with several thousand other people, Bike the Night is your opportunity! It’s a fun, family-friendly and environmentally-responsible event that’s worth signing up for!

For more information about the event, click Bike the Night.

For a list of other major events in the Lower Mainland check out Vancouver’s Calendar of Events or click Festivals & Events.

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