Did you know Vancouver has an urban park that was named the best park in the world in 2014? Spanning over 1,000 acres, Stanley Park was created in 1888 and it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada a century later in 1988.
With the park drawing in approximately 8 million visitors annually, its no wonder the park is a major attraction of Vancouver!
Stanley Park is also home to the Vancouver Aquarium, one of the largest Aquariums in North America, the iconic Vancouver Seawall, and the Brockton Point Lighthouse.
To encourage our students to experience all that Vancouver has to offer, our Student Life department, in conjunction with the Alexander College Student Association (ACSA), hosted a bike ride event at Stanley Park.
A bike ride around Stanley Park is the perfect way to enjoy the warm spring weather while being surrounded by natural forests and the ocean!
The bike ride started at Spokes Bicycle Rentals, just four minutes outside of Stanley Park. A family owned business, Spokes Bicycle Rentals has been a go-to place for Stanley Park bike rentals since they first set up shop in their current location 30 years ago.
In addition to the wide variety of bikes for rent, Spokes Bicycle Rentals also offers bikes for sale.
Bikes are a popular method of transportation when exploring Stanley Park due to the park’s large size. The park itself is also accommodating to bikers with dedicated bike lanes all throughout the park so visitors can cycle without worrying about pedestrians or vehicles.
Following along the Vancouver Seawall, the group cycled all the way up to the Lions Gate Bridge. The Lions Gate Bridge, also known as the First Narrows Bridge, connects Stanley Park to North Vancouver.
Did you know? The Vancouver Seawall, first built in 1917 and expanding since then, is 28 kilometers long!
Going past the Lions Gate Bridge, the students biked all the way to Third Beach along the west side of the park. From there, it’s a short bike ride back to Spokes Bicycle Rentals.
The bike ride was a great experience for students wanting to enjoy some time outside and experience Vancouver’s natural scenery that is conveniently located right next to the downtown area. For some, it was an experience they won’t forget.
“Cycling around Stanley Park with the ACSA team was truly an incredible experience. We pedalled along the seawall, capturing beautiful moments with our group and indulging in some snacks.
The serene surroundings and breathtaking views of nature made the whole adventure even more special. Moments like these remind us of the beauty that nature offers.”
Vancouver has a lot to offer from international food, urban centres, parks, and more! We hope that through these experiences, students gain a greater understanding of life in Canada outside of academics.
If you’re a current student interested in participating events like these in the future, keep an eye on our Event Calendar!
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.
Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.