Discover Richmond with car-free transportation options


07 July 2022

This summer, come out and enjoy two new car-free options to get around Richmond and enjoy all the city has to offer – the Richmond Discovery Shuttle and a Bike Valet Service in Steveston Village. Brought to you by the City of Richmond and Tourism Richmond, the best part is, these services are free.

“These two new summertime transportation programs are designed to make it enjoyable, easy and sustainable for both residents and visitors to explore Richmond,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Riding the free shuttle offers a low emissions alternative to driving, while stopping at some of Richmond’s most popular locations. And the free bike valet offers those cycling around, and to, Steveston, a convenient, secure and free option while they enjoy the Village.”

According to Nancy Small, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Richmond, through the pandemic, cycling has become even more popular, especially during the summer, so demand for the valet service is expected to be high. “The bike valet and the shuttle are both great ways for people to get out and see what Richmond has to offer. We know that the more activities a tourist does in our city, the more they love Richmond.”

Richmond Discovery Shuttle
The free Richmond Discovery Shuttle launched on June 25, 2022. It will operate from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekends and statutory holidays until September 5, 2022.

It will operate on a loop with five stops between central Richmond, the Richmond Olympic Oval, and Steveston Village:

  1. Lansdowne Canada Line station
  2. Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel
  3. Richmond Olympic Oval
  4. Gulf of Georgia Cannery
  5. Britannia Shipyard 

The Discovery Shuttle is made possible by a partnership between Tourism Richmond, the City of Richmond, and the Richmond Hotel Association. It is operated by Universal Coach Lines, a Richmond-based company. The Shuttle first ran as a pilot project in the summer of 2019 with ridership of over 2,000, demonstrating the demand for a transportation service connecting key points of the city, such as the Canada Line and Steveston Village.

Bike Valet in Steveston

If getting around via pedal-power is more some peoples’ speed, Richmond has a new free service to make this easier. When cycling to Steveston Village, they can safely store bikes while they eat, shop, and explore the parks, pier, boardwalk and historic sights.

Operating similar to a coat check, the Bike Valet service offers free, secure parking for bicycles and other non-carbon vehicles such as strollers, skateboards and scooters. The Bike Valet, is another partnership project between the City and Tourism Richmond and is sponsored by the Steveston Harbour Authority, which is providing the location for the Bike Valet.

The Bike Valet secure area is always monitored and will be operated by Bicycle Valet, a professional bike valet service and social enterprise of Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST).

The Bike Valet is located in the heart of Steveston Village, in the Gulf of Georgia Cannery parking lot and has a capacity of up to 75 bicycles. It operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and statutory holidays all summer, until Monday, September 5.