One of the biggest cycling exhibitions in the country, the BC Bike Show is a bike-themed trade show at Canada Place in early March.
The event is primarily about mountain bikes and e-bikes. It’s part of the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show which takes place at the same venue at the same time.
This article contains the following information about the BC Bike Show:
Location, Hours & Admission | What to Expect | Shows and Seminars | Other Information
The BC Bike Show in Vancouver
The BC Bike Show is a can’t-miss event for biking enthusiasts. Attendees can learn about new tech and both watch and learn from the pros. There are dozens of exhibitors at the trade show each year. There is also the opportunity to have hands-on experiences with some of the many rides and equipment on-site.
Along with learning about the bikes and biking equipment, there are fun activities for all ages at the event. There’s the chance to meet professional bikers. There are also BMX shows with stunts, a kids’ zone and more.
The 2024 BC Bike Show took place on the Saturday and Sunday of March 2nd and 3rd at the Canada Place. Sponsors of the event included Reckless Shipyards and OHM Bikes, both of which are awesome and highly reputable e-bike companies based in North Vancouver. (If you want a new e-bike, talk to one of these guys!)
TIP: Another event where you can learn about e-bikes is Everything Electric Canada which is a big, international e-vehicle and electric energy trade show at the Vancouver Convention Centre that used to be called Fully Charged LIVE. It takes place on September 6th to 8th in 2024. Some of the same e-bike companies are at that event too.
Location, Hours and Admission
The BC Bike Show happens at the Vancouver Convention Centre. It occurs in Canada Place, not the newer convention centre building. Located at 999 Canada Place in downtown Vancouver, the venue provides a massive interior space. There is also room outdoors along the waterfront for different exhibitions and features.
The 2024 event ran on Saturday, March 2nd and Sunday, March 3rd. Hours of operation were 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on the Saturday and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on the Sunday.
2024 admission rates when purchased in advance are listed below. These excluded taxes. Prices at the door cost more. (Note: Prices were subject to change.)
- Adults (ages 12+): $14
- Children (ages 11 and under): Free
The prices were for a ticket for one of the two days. If you wanted to go to the show on both days you could buy a weekend pass for $20 (which was the same price regardless of your age).
Note: Admission to the BC Bike Show also gives you access to the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show which takes place at the same time. It too is at the Convention Centre’s East Building (i.e. Canada Place). If you have tickets for one of these two events you don’t have to buy separate tickets for the other.
CHARITY CYCLING EVENTS
Looking for a terrific cycling event that benefits a great cause? The Rotary Ride for Rescue is a fundraising road and mountain bike event in West Vancouver. It takes place on June 8th in 2024. Participants cycle up Cypress Mountain and funds raised benefit North Shore Search & Rescue as well as various Rotary Club-related humanitarian causes. To learn about this event, see our article about the Rotary Ride for Rescue.
Other great fundraising events to consider participating in are the Rotary Ride for Hearing and GearUp4CF (both of which are leisurely rides, not races). The first of these cycling events happens on June 14th in 2024. It raises funds for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services in BC. GearUp4CF, meanwhile, happens on June 14th this year and raises money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Yet another cycling fundraiser is the Tour de Cure from August 24th to 25th, 2024, which benefits the BC Cancer Foundation.
What to Expect
The BC Bike Show has a wide range of exhibits and vendor booths to explore. There are, of course, a large number of bike manufacturers and retailers on hand. In recent years this has included local bike manufacturers like OHM Bikes and Volt. A number of Lower Mainland bike stores also participate, including Reckless Shipyards from North Vancouver. Exhibitors include places like the North Shore Bike Park.
For those looking to buy a new bike there are usually different sales on offer and the chance to peruse the latest cycling technology on display. We’ve bought our e-bikes from both OHM and Reckless and love them. We highly recommend both those companies. Their bikes are exceptional, as is their customer service.
There’s nothing like being able to experience the ride yourself, which is why there is an outdoor demo track at the BC Bike Show. This gives attendees the chance to take some of the bikes for a spin outside Canada Place and learn what suits them best. It’s not quite the same as test riding a bike on the road or up a hill. It does, though, give you an idea of the feel of different bikes.
For the younger ones, there’s the Bike Park Kids’ Zone which offers an introduction to mountain biking in an indoor, controlled environment. Staff are on hand to guide young riders on a mini track and teach them some basic pointers about taking to the road or the hills.
Bike Shows and Seminars
On top of the interactive fun, there are different shows and presentations to enjoy at the BC Bike Show. The biggest is the BC Big Air Jump Jam. A number of riders from around the province perform tricks and stunts for everyone to enjoy throughout the weekend. They do jumps and show off their balancing skills.
At the event there’s also the chance to meet professional mountain bikers and learn from the pros. Seminar topics in 2024 included Cycle Italy for Less Than You Think, Great Bike Journeys of the World, Most Scenic Rail Trail in USA, Trail Advocacy & Maintenance and others.
ADVENTURE GAMES IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER
If you go to the BC Bike Show or Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show, while in the area, consider playing an outdoor adventure game with Vancouver Mysteries. The games are like escape rooms, except they are played outdoors in the streets of downtown Vancouver (including around the outside of the Convention Centre). There are detective/murder, secret agent, superheroes and ghost hunting-themed games.
See our article about Vancouver Mysteries for more details or visit the website vancouvermysteries.com. (TIP: Use the promo code BESTPLACES and save 10% on the games.)
Other Information
For more information about the cycling-themed trade show, visit the BC Bike Show website. To learn about what else is happening at the same venue on the same days, see our article about the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Metro Vancouver Cycling Races
- North Shore Bike Park
- Outdoor Recreation in Vancouver
- Vancouver Parks and Nature
- Chilliwack Pump Track
- Vancouver Festivals and Events