Cities in Canada are creating bike infrastructure to support active and sustainable transportation. But as bike networks expand, some neighbourhoods tend to benefit more than others, and that raises an important question: Who is benefiting from these investments?

In our recent research, we investigated this question by analyzing the evolution of cycling infrastructure in Montréal, Vancouver and Victoria between 2011 and 2021.

We found that neighbourhoods with more children, older adults and racialized people were often farther from new cycling infrastructure, even as bike networks expanded. Cycling infrastructure includes cycle tracks, bike-only paths, local street bikeways, multi-use paths and painted bike lanes.

A recent survey by the Canadian Automobile Association showed that almost one in three Canadians would consider biking more if they had access to better infrastructure. The survey found that inadequate cycling infrastructure was the most commonly cited reason for not cycling more, even ahead of bad weather.

Active transportation like walking and cycling connect us to nearby communities and amenities. It can promote socially connected communities, reduce the risk of depression and stress and provide opportunities for physical activity.

Despite these benefits, only between one to six per cent of Canadians use active transportation as their main mode of commuting. Many........

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