The most popular cycling path in the city runs along the Seawall around the perimeter of Stanley Park. Offering stunning views of the city, the Burrard Inlet, and English Bay, this pathway is extremely popular with cyclists, in-line skaters, and pedestrians alike. Other marked cycle lanes traverse the rest of the city, among them the cross-town Off-Broadway route, the Adanac route, and the Ontario Street route. Runners and cyclists have separate lanes on developed park and beach paths. Some West End hotels offer guests bike storage and rentals. One of the city's most scenic cycle paths has been extended and now runs all the way from Canada Place Pier to Pacific Spirit Park. It connects Canada Place, Stanley Park and the Seawall Promenade, English Bay and Sunset beaches, and Granville Island to Vanier Park, Kitsilano and Jericho beaches, and Pacific Spirit Park. Cycling maps are available at most bicycle retailers and rental outlets.

Local mountain bikers love the cross-country ski trails on Hollyburn Mountain in Cypress Provincial Park. The Secret Trail Society started building trails 6 years ago along Grouse Mountain's backside, and they are now considered some of the lower mainland's best. Mount Seymour's very steep Good Samaritan Trail connects to the Baden-Powell Trail and the Bridle Path near Mount Seymour Road. The route is recommended only for world-class mountain bikers -- the types who pour Gatorade on their Wheaties. Closer to downtown, both Pacific Spirit Park and Burnaby Mountain offer excellent beginner and intermediate off-road trails.

Hourly rentals run around C$3.75 (US$2.80) for a one-speed "Cruiser" to C$10 (US$7.50) for a top-of-the-line mountain bike; C$15 to C$40 (US$11-US$30) for a day, helmets and locks included. Bikes and child trailers are available by the hour or day at Spokes Bicycle Rentals & Espresso Bar, 1798 W. Georgia St. (tel. 604/688-5141). Alley Cat Rentals, 1779 Robson St., in the alley (tel. 604/684-5117), is a popular shop that rents city or mountain bikes, child trailers, child seats, locks, helmets, and in-line skates (protective gear included). Bayshore Bicycle and Rollerblade Rentals, 745 Denman St. (tel. 604/688-2453), rents 21-speed mountain bikes, bike carriers, tandems, city bikes, in-line skates, and kids' bikes.