More Storage Space for Bikes in Apartments: A Smart Move for Maple Ridge

A recent development proposal for a 175-unit, 1- and 2-bedroom apartment complex located between Dewdney Trunk Road and Lougheed Highway in downtown Maple Ridge presents a golden opportunity to rethink how we allocate space for transportation. The developer is asking to reduce the number of required car parking spaces, as they feel the required number of spaces will surpass demand—an idea that aligns with the city’s goals to support active transportation. This simple change could make it easier for more people to choose cycling, reducing congestion and improving our community’s overall livability.

The HUB Cycling Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows local committee provided written feedback and a subsequent letter to council in support of the developer’s car parking space reduction proposal. The letter to Council can be found here. 

The Case for More Bicycle Parking and Current Regulations

Current city regulations don’t require bike parking for this development. Yet, recognizing the growing demand for cycling, the developer has voluntarily proposed storage for bikes at a rate of 0.3 spaces per unit (roughly one bike spot for every three apartments). This is a step in the right direction, but it falls short of meeting the needs of a modern, bike-friendly city.

HUB Cycling has recommended 1.5 bicycle parking spaces per unit for multi-family buildings across Maple Ridge, with an even higher standard for areas closer to transit. This is based on research and best practices in similar communities where cycling infrastructure is growing. Without adequate bike parking, residents who want to rely on bicycles for daily transportation may find themselves struggling to store them securely, ultimately making car ownership the easier—if not the only—option.

Why This Matters

As Maple Ridge continues to grow, we need to plan for a future that prioritizes sustainability and accessibility. More bike parking means:

• Reducing short car trips and congestion – Expanding active transportation choices gives residents an alternative to driving for short trips, helping to ease congestion and improve traffic flow, especially in downtown areas.
• Better health and affordability – Riding a bike is great exercise and significantly cheaper than owning and maintaining a car.
• A more vibrant, connected community – When people bike and walk more, they engage with their neighborhoods in a way that cars don’t allow.

Additionally, the reduction in required car parking doesn’t mean residents will be left without options. The development is within easy biking and walking distance of the Town Centre, making it possible for many people to live without a car or rely on one less often. The shift from car dependency to active transportation is already happening, and city policies should support this transition rather than hinder it.

A Forward-Thinking Decision for City Council

The developer’s request to reduce parking is a forward-thinking move that aligns with Maple Ridge’s goals for active transportation. Approving this variance would not only accommodate current cycling demand but also encourage future residents to embrace a more sustainable way of getting around.

City Council has an opportunity to set a precedent: prioritize bike parking and active transportation infrastructure in new developments. By doing so, we can build a city where more people have the choice to bike safely and conveniently, helping us move toward a greener, healthier, and more connected Maple Ridge.

What You Can Do

If you support this initiative, consider reaching out to City Council (Email: mayorcouncilandcao@mapleridge.ca) to voice your opinion.

Although it’s no longer possible to give feedback on this particular development proposal, which has already gone through Public Hearing, it is still a good idea for Mayor and Council to hear that people support more secure bike parking facilities in multi-family buildings in general. In the end it benefits everyone who cycles, because better bike parking facilities means more people cycling in town, which demonstrates the increasing demand for convenient and safe cycling infrastructure.

We also welcome your feedback—feel free to email us at mapleridge-pittmeadows @ bikehub.ca. Let’s work together to make cycling a viable and accessible option for everyone in our community.