Our History
BEST has been promoting sustainable transportation in the Lower Mainland of BC since 1991.
Major Milestones
Started Our Community Bikes in 1993, Vancouver’s first accessible and FREE do-it-yourself bike store.
Founded BIKE VALET in 2008, the first attended bicycle parking service in Canada. Securely parking over 300,000 bikes since.
Handled the development of the Central Valley Greenway, a 22 km multi-use pathway linking Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster.
The BEST Timeline
The Beginning
BEST was started by a group of dedicated cyclists, or “bicycle people” as we call ourselves. Our vision is vibrant, healthy communities built around walking, cycling, public transit, and ride/car shares. Our mission is the transformation to sustainable transportation.
1991
1992
Published the first Spoke ‘N Word Newsletter, the source for all bicycle advocacy news in the Lower Mainland.
Coordinated Ride for the Environment events during National Environment Week.
1993
Started Our Community Bikes, Vancouver’s first do-it-yourself bike store.
1994
BEST as we know it is born!
Broadened our vision to champion all forms of sustainable transportation beyond just cycling and officially became a Canadian Charitable Organization.
1996
From 1996 to 1999, BEST operated the first Bike to Work Week Campaigns to promote cycling and build awareness.
1999
Developed Off Ramp, an internationally award-winning program that promoted sustainable travel in secondary schools by training student leaders to create activities encouraging classmates to walk, bike, skateboard, rollerblade, use public transit, or share rides.
1997
Launched Go Green Choices to improve air quality and transportation in the Lower Mainland with a media campaign and trip reduction support.
Started the Commuter Challenge in BC, a friendly competition promoting sustainable transportation.
2000
We started the Bike to Work and Bike Month movement!
Bike Month, launched as an annual campaign, built on the success of Bike Week and Bike to Work Week. Officially declared by Minister Harry Lalli, June became Bike Month in BC.
2001
We secured the first million-dollar grant from Vancity to develop the Central Valley Greenway (CVG), a 20 km urban trail connecting Vancouver to New Westminster via False Creek, Burnaby, and Coquitlam.
2003
BEST produced a community guide called “How to Reclaim Your Street” to help neighbourhood groups address local traffic concerns such as volume, speed, safety and loss of community. Through facets such as neighbourhood organizing, celebration, art, community designed streetscapes, direct action strategies, and individuals reducing their own car use, the guidebook helps people become active participants in finding solutions that help them rediscover streets as places to build an engaged, healthy and connected community.
We held Canada’s first National Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Conference. Bringing over 200 transportation professionals, elected officials and planners for three days of practical workshops, the conference advanced the field within Canada.
Encouraging eventgoers to use active transportation by offering free and safe bicycle parking. The Bicycle Valet is now BEST’s signature social enterprise, growing considerably every year.
2002
2008
Coordinated the production of a cycling map for Richmond and YVR Airport, distributing 25,000 copies to civic facilities, grocery and convenience stores and other community agencies.
2006
The Bike Valet is born!
2009
The Central Valley Greenway (CVG) officially opened
on June 27, 2009, and now supports all modes of active transportation.
BEST received the City of Burnaby Gold Environmental Star, and the Greenway served as a catalyst for a constituency for active transportation. Today, it is used regularly by people on bikes, foot, skateboards, rollerblades and other forms of active transportation.
2010
During the 2010 Winter Olympics, we proudly operated The Bicycle Valet at eight prime locations throughout Vancouver. For two weeks, we ensured seamless and secure bicycle parking, supporting the City of Vancouver in hosting a world-class event.
2016
A BIG YEAR FOR BEST!
BEST marks 25 years of promoting sustainable transportation and healthy communities. We've collaborated with government agencies at all levels to assess sustainable transportation options and their impact on air quality, traffic congestion, and energy consumption. As a leading contributor to 13 major initiatives, we remain active members of the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition and Moving in Livable Region.
BEST launched Parkbus in BC, offering express bus service to BC Provincial Parks. Since then, Parkbus has become a vital link for thousands of Canadians, enabling easy access to the great outdoors.
Launched Living Streets, an educational engagement program focusing on promoting walking in urban environments.
With the United Way and the Vancouver Foundation, we launched STAR: the Seniors Transportation Access and Resources website, a province-wide coordinating initiative to help agencies provide transportation to seniors.
2014
The Bike Valet celebrates 100,000 bikes safely parked!
We celebrated by giving away a bike to our lucky 100,000th rider and hosting a party to thank our volunteers, staff and sponsors.
2011
2018
As part of Seniors on the Move, a project of Allies in Aging, BEST and BC 211 announce the launch of a new Seniors Transportation Hotline and Hub. Looking for help to get around Metro Vancouver? Call 211 for Seniors Transportation Information.
2019
Partnered with Cycling Without Age to bring a local chapter to Vancouver. Also began ParkPass to help parks with transportation and day use demand management.
2021
BEST received a 3-year, $300,000 system-change grant from the Vancouver Foundation for it’s Seniors on the Move project to lead a system-change effort for seniors and equity-seeking populations in BC
2022
BEST embarked on a transformative journey by rebranding two flagship programs, The Bike Valet and WALK30.
MORE TO COME…
2024
BEST's newest initiative is born, Eco-Voyage!
BEST also acted as the backbone agency for the Aging in Motion Grant with United Way BC which supports community-based senior serving organizations across British Columbia to strengthen transportation services for seniors.