As Vancouver's population began to increase at the beginning of the 20th century, so did the use of bicycles on city streets.
The spike in cycling use was so big that Vancouver’s first City Archivist, Major James Skitt Matthews, documented it in his seven-volume series, Early Vancouver, noting that "almost every family had at least one, some had more; nearly all young men, and most young women, many elderly men and some elderly women rode."
To celebrate Vancouver's affection for two-wheelers, we've compiled some of the best cycling photos from the City of Vancouver Archives. Check them out below, and be sure to check out this generation's best cyclists at the second annual Vancouver Is Awesome Grand Prix, happening June 15th at Jonathon Rogers Park in Mount Pleasant.
The Vancouver Bicycle Club at Prospect Point, 1895
Matthews, James Skitt, Major, Vancouver Archives Item: St Pk P174
A high wheel bicycle race at Brockton Point, 1902
Matthews, James Skitt, Major, Vancouver Archives Item: Sp P57
Bicycle race at Hastings Park, 1926
Thomson, Stuart, Vancouver Archives Item: CVA 99-1514
Cycling in Stanley Park, ca. 1890
Timms, Philip T, Vancouver Archives Item: CVA 677-278
Terminal City Cycling Club ca. 1896
Matthews, James Skitt, Major, Vancouver Archives Item: Sp P16
Canadian Youth Hostel bike hike at concession stand, 1943
Williams, Donn B.A., Vancouver Archives Item: CVA 586-1339
VANCOUVER IS AWESOME GRAND PRIX 2019
When: June 15, 2019
Where: Jonathan Rogers Park in Mount Pleasant
For more info, visit awesomegrandprix.com
