Two people having coffee outside a wooden kiosk cafe, with touring bikes leaned alongside the deck
Smithers, BC · Photo: Andrew Strain

We hit a milestone this month: the first 145 accredited places went live on BC Bike Stops. These aren't paid placements or self-nominations we took on faith. Each one earned it the same way: by showing us, in their own words, how they welcome cyclists.

Red Beard Cafe in Kamloops was one of the first to be accredited. "Red Beard is just off the Rivers Trail on the flat North Shore of Kamloops. We have many bike racks, and locks if you forget yours." Locks if you forget yours. That's exactly the kind of detail we were hoping to find.

Evening patio at Red Beard Cafe: plates and drinks on a red table under string lights at dusk
Red Beard Cafe, Kamloops, BC · Photo: Red Beard Cafe

In Vancouver, Our Community Bikes has been fixing bikes and teaching people to fix their own since long before we showed up. "We strive to create an environment where all people feel safe, included and respected."

Inside Our Community Bikes: rows of refurbished bikes, a brick wall of parts, wheels and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling
Our Community Bikes, Vancouver, BC · Photo: Our Community Bikes

And Accent Inns has made bike-friendliness a chain-wide promise across five BC locations. "Love your bike? Bring it to your room." There's also a wash station and a 37-piece tool kit.

It's not just cafes, shops, and hotels. At The Butchart Gardens, "it is always a pleasure for us to welcome bikers." And Kelowna's Okanagan Heritage Museum encourages visitors to arrive by bike.

The full directory now covers more than 18,000 places across BC, from water refills to welcoming beds. New to BC Bike Stops? We introduced the program in our launch announcement. The accredited ones are where someone has gone further and put it in writing, on their website or to us directly. Know a business that belongs on the list? Send them to bccycletourism.ca/apply.

— Heather