Ask RMCyclist: Comfortable Bike Route to Osprey Village from Downtown Maple Ridge

A frequent question from newcomers or those new to cycling in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows is how to get from some place to a popular destination using a comfortable route, one which is relatively free of high volume vehicular traffic.

In this post we will describe a relatively comfortable cycling route from downtown Maple Ridge to Osprey Village in Pitt Meadows, a popular destination for area residents who want to go for a nice weekend ride to a park-like setting by the water.

A good portion of the route is on 117th Ave. and Thorne Ave. 117th Ave. is one of the best east-west routes for cycling in Maple Ridge with relatively light traffic, although one would have to contend with frequent stop signs on 117th Ave.

Overall, the route is a little under 10km one-way and on flat terrain. The majority route is made up of quiet streets and multi-use paths, making it suitable for riders who prefer not to ride on the road alongside fast and/or heavy car traffic.

Refer to the map above for the notes below.

The route above starts at Haney Place Mall in downtown Maple Ridge (Selkirk and 224th St.).
Go west on Selkirk. Turn left on 220th and then a quick right to Wicklow Way. ❶

Alternatively start the ride on the new multi-use path on Loughheed Highway and 222nd St.. Go west and turn right on 220th St..

Turn left (west) on Donovan Ave.
Turn left (south) on 216th St.
Go toward Lougheed Highway. At the Lougheed intersection, turn right (west) onto the multiuse path running along Lougheed.
Turn left (south) on Laity St. Watch out for the pinch point and curb extension squeezing you onto traffic on Laity after crossing the Lougheed intersection (see image below). ❷

Take the first right (Cutler Pl.), first left (212th St.) and then right again onto 117th Ave.
Go west on 117th Ave. to 207th St. Turn right and then a quick left onto Thorne Ave. ❸
Follow Thorne to 203rd Ave. Cross 203rd onto trail (see image below). ❹

Trail from 203rd Ave. to Hammond Road

Same trail to 203rd Ave. from Hammond Rd.

Emerge from the trail and turn right (north-west) on Hammond Rd.
Follow Hammond Rd (turns into West St.) and turn left (west) on Dunn Ave.. At the traffic lights, turn left onto Maple Meadows Way. (Note: to go to Meadowtown Mall go straight instead at the traffic lights.)

Go past railroad tracks and turn right at traffic circle onto Hammond Rd. ❺

Traffic circle at Maple Meadows Way and Hammond Rd.

Go north then west on Hammond. Turn left at crosswalk onto trail. ❻

At end of trail, cross Airport Way and turn right (west) onto off-street path. ❼

At end of trail, turn left (south) on Bonson Rd.
Follow Bonson Rd. to the end and turn right onto the trail along the Fraser River to Osprey Village. Alternatively, turn right on Fraser Way and go around (turn left) at traffic circle into village.

Images: Google Maps/letsgobiking.net