BC Cycle Tourism Society

To and Fro: moving your bike around British Columbia

My bike and I are in and we’d like to be in .
We show what transit connections accept bikes. Check with the operator for prices, schedules, and reservations.
Same place twice. You’re already there, so enjoy the ride.

Good news: buses, ferries, trains and flights can carry you and your bike from Sparwood to Ladysmith.

For scale
As the crow flies652 km
Biking whole wayWe can't compute the bike route from the ferry dock but it may be rideable: please consult other sources.
By car1,071 km ยท 13 h 03 m

We found 9 ways to get you there.

๐ŸŽ’ Riding a coach? Most BC coach operators want your bike bagged or boxed. Our field note walks through packing it, including an inexpensive packable bike bag we like: How to bike-and-bus in BC ›
Note: Most carriers carry only a handful of bikes, and summer weekends fill up fast. Reserve where you can. Where you can't, go early or have a backup plan.
Option one · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
A transport smorgasbord: coach buses, SkyTrain, ferry, and city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Calgaryor Mountain Man Mike's (Kaslo โ€“ Cranbrook โ€“ Calgary (weekly)) (doesn't run every day)Sparwood โ†’1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)240 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Mountain Man Mike's: Runs once a week, continuing east into Alberta.
Mountain Man Mike's: The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Vancouver1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) โ†’New Westminster495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster โ†’Waterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Black Top Cabs, Maclure'S Cabs might help.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead โ€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way โ€” $25 in personNo e-bikes โ€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ†’1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option two · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Beautiful BC from a coach window.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC TransitElkford โ€“ Cranbrook (Health Connections)Sparwood โ†’Cranbrook78 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Wednesday and Friday only.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit36 Golden โ€“ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Cranbrook โ†’Golden223 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Golden โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)568 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โ†’Waterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead โ€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way โ€” $25 in personNo e-bikes โ€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ†’1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option three · five legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
The same trip, but with Ebus for the coach bus leg.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Cranbrook โ€“ Calgary (weekly)Sparwood โ†’Calgary AB275 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Calgary AB โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)784 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โ†’Waterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead โ€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way โ€” $25 in personNo e-bikes โ€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ†’1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option four · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Mountain Man Mike's will get you there.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Calgaryor Mountain Man Mike's (Kaslo โ€“ Cranbrook โ€“ Calgary (weekly)) (doesn't run every day)Sparwood โ†’1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson)240 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Mountain Man Mike's: Runs once a week, continuing east into Alberta.
Mountain Man Mike's: The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Vancouver1680 Hwy 3A/6 (Nelson) โ†’New Westminster495 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week; hop-on hop-off along the way.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkNew Westminster โ†’Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โ†’Horseshoe Bay17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ†’1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Show five moreShow fewer
Option five · eight legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Nothing direct, but it strings together.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC TransitElkford โ€“ Cranbrook (Health Connections)Sparwood โ†’Cranbrook78 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Wednesday and Friday only.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit36 Golden โ€“ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Cranbrook โ†’Golden223 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Golden โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)568 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โ†’Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โ†’Horseshoe Bay17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ†’1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option six · seven legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Another way: the same trip, but with Ebus for the coach bus leg.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ Cranbrook โ€“ Calgary (weekly)Sparwood โ†’Calgary AB275 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
The only ground service between Cranbrook and Calgary; weekly, eastbound Monday and westbound Tuesday.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Calgary AB โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)784 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โ†’Stadium-Chinatown (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšŽTransLink257 Horseshoe Bay ExpressStadium-Chinatown (Vancouver) โ†’Horseshoe Bay17 kmRack on the bus, free2 bikes โ€” first come, first servedE-bikes OK
โ›ด๏ธBC FerriesHorseshoe Bay โ€“ Departure BayHorseshoe Bay โ†’Departure Bay (Nanaimo)53 kmRoll on, free โ€” no reservation neededE-bikes OK โ€” no charging on board
๐ŸšŽBC Transit20/20A Hammond Bay / Doveror the 25 Ferry ShuttleDeparture Bay (Nanaimo) โ†’Downtown Nanaimo Exchange3.3 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 0.5 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ†’1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option seven · six legs⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Same as Option two, but a coach bus instead of the city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒMountain Man Mike'sKaslo โ€“ CalgarySparwood โ†’Cranbrook78 kmBikes acceptedCall for a quote โ€” fee and packaging arranged with the booking agent
Runs once a week, continuing east into Alberta.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit36 Golden โ€“ Cranbrook Connector (Health Connections)Cranbrook โ†’Golden223 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Tuesday and Thursday only.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Golden โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)568 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โ†’Waterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead โ€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way โ€” $25 in personNo e-bikes โ€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ†’1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option eight · six legs📅 seasonal⚠ doesn't run every day — check the schedule
Option one, plus a city bus at the start.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŽBC Transit41 Fernie / Sparwood / Elkfordor the Elkford โ€“ Cranbrook (Health Connections) (doesn't run every day)Lodge Pole Village (Sparwood) โ†’9th Ave at 19th St (Fernie)32 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
Health Connections bus: medical patients get priority. You must call ahead to book a seat. Runs Wednesday and Friday only.
๐ŸšŒTunnel49Fernie โ€“ Calgary Airport9th Ave at 19th St (Fernie) โ†’Calgary AB185 kmRides in the hold โ€” boxed, bagged, or wrappedBike fee โ€” $50 + GST per bike bag on the Calgary shuttle; Cranbrook might be extra
A winter ski shuttle: Wednesdays and Saturdays, mid-December to late March. Other times need a six-passenger custom booking. Bike bags $50 plus GST.
๐ŸšŒEbusVancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1)or Rider Express (Vancouver โ€“ Calgary (Hwy 1))Calgary AB โ†’Pacific Central Station (Vancouver)784 kmRides in the hold โ€” bagged or cloth-wrapped (no plastic), or boxed$30 per bike
Runs the same Highway 1 corridor as Rider Express, so compare schedules and fares.
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Pacific Central Station (Vancouver) to Main Street-Science World (Vancouver), about 0.2 km.
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkMain Street-Science World (Vancouver) โ†’Waterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
โ›ด๏ธHulloHullo (Nanaimo โ€“ Vancouver)CXH (Vancouver) โ†’Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way)61 kmBook online ahead โ€” 6 bike spots per sailing, 1 per guest$19.99 one way โ€” $25 in personNo e-bikes โ€” no trailers, 80 in / 50 lb max
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Hullo Nanaimo Terminal (Port Way) to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.4 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ†’1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Option 9 · five legs✈ the splurge📞 on demand — book ahead with the operator
A coach bus, two flights, a SkyTrain, and a city bus.
CarrierRideYour bike
๐ŸšŒTunnel49Elk Valley โ€“ Cranbrook AirportSparwood โ†’YXC (Cranbrook)82 kmRides in the hold โ€” boxed, bagged, or wrappedBike fee โ€” $50 + GST per bike bag on the Calgary shuttle; Cranbrook might be extra
On-demand airport shuttle, year-round, 8 AM to 10 PM, two-person minimum. Bikes go if packed; mention it when you book, and there might be an extra fee.
โœˆ๏ธAir CanadaVancouver (YVR) โ€“ Cranbrook (YXC)YXC (Cranbrook) โ†’Vancouver Airport (YVR) (Richmond)539 kmBox or sturdy bag requiredBook ahead for your bikeAbout $50 per directionNo e-bikes
๐ŸšSkyTrainTransLinkYVR-Airport (Richmond) โ†’Waterfront (Vancouver)Roll on, free โ€” 2 bikes per carAvoid rush hourE-bikes OK
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Vancouver Canada Place to CXH (Vancouver), about 0.8 km.
๐Ÿ›ฉ๏ธHarbour AirVancouver Harbour โ€“ Nanaimo HarbourCXH (Vancouver) โ†’Nanaimo Harbour60 kmFront wheel must come off$20 handling fee โ€” bike weight counts toward your baggage allowanceNot on the Twin Otter โ€” other floatplanes are fine; confirm when booking
๐ŸšฒTravel the short hop from Nanaimo Harbour to Bay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch, about 1.1 km.
๐ŸšŽBC Transit70 NCX Nanaimo - Cowichan ExpressBay D at Downtown Nanaimo Exch โ†’1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith)20 kmFront rack, no fee โ€” 2 bikes, first come; space not guaranteedE-bikes under 25 kg only โ€” lithium battery off the bike and carried on board
๐ŸšฒYou arrive at 1st Ave at Hwy 1 (Ladysmith).
Route facts last checked October 2026. We check that every leg here carries bikes, but policies and seasons change. Check times and book with the operator. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.
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Heading back: Ladysmith to Sparwood (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain)

Connections from Sparwood: Cranbrook (best: bus) · Clearwater (best: bus) · Bowen Island (best: bus + SkyTrain + ferry) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + plane)

Connections from Ladysmith: Salt Spring Island (best: bus + ferry) · Courtenay (Comox Valley) (best: bus + carpool) · Armstrong (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Whitehorse, YT (best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain)

Check out BC Bike Stops in Sparwood and Ladysmith