This summer, Whistler will have a new protected bike lane to ease two-wheeled travel through the Village, free shuttles to Lost Lake and Rainbow parks, free weekend transit, and more secure bike valet parking, monitored by an attendant.
“It is awesome to see active transportation, transit options and infrastructure growing at this rate in our community,” said Mayor Jack Crompton. “We need to move beyond the car and options like this are crucial as we work to minimize and avoid the negative effects of climate change. I’m so grateful for the people and the work that make these changes possible, and I can’t wait to make the most it all myself.”
Whistler is among the Canadian municipalities working to meet the Paris Accord goal to slow global warming by reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030. Expansion and optimization of local transit is one of six key ways to reach that goal, as identified in the Climate Action Big Moves Strategy. Big Move number one encourages active transportation and transit use. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has several summer programs designed to make it an easy shift for residents and visitors, including:
Free summer weekend transit is back
BC Transit and the RMOW have announced the return of free summer weekend transit in Whistler. The RMOW and Whistler Blackcomb offer complimentary service on all routes on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays between June 15 through Labour Day. Day Lots 1-5 parking fees fund the free summer service. BC Transit also makes it easy for kids to get around all summer, with free transit for kids 12 and under.
Lost Lake Park and Rainbow Park free shuttles
Free summer transport to Lost Lake Park is running. The Lost Lake Park free shuttle operates daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., leaving from post 4 at the Gondola Transit Exchange and the Olympic Plaza bus stop.
People will also be able to hop on the Rainbow Park free shuttle, in line with the highly anticipated reopening of Rainbow Park (on track for the end of June). The shuttle begins Saturday, June 29 at 10 a.m., and the free park shuttle to Rainbow Park via Meadow Park Water Park and Rainbow Falls trailhead will operate on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays.
Both free park shuttles will operate through Labour Day. The Province of BC’s Resort Municipality Initiative fund sponsors Whistler’s free park shuttles.
More free, secure, attended bike parking
Free bike and gear storage with the Whistler Bike Valet returns to select locations starting Saturday, June 22. In July, Whistler will receive an expansion to the service, thanks to a grant from the BC Cycling Coalition, funded by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Summer weekend and holiday bike valet service at Whistler Olympic Plaza will expand daily, Wednesday through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. through Labour Day. In addition, new fencing will increase capacity, with the ability to accommodate up to 300 bikes. This expanded service is geared to village employees, making it easier to commute by bike. The Whistler Bike Valet service will continue to be extended past 8:30 p.m. on special event evenings such as the Whistler Summer Concert Series and Movies at Whistler Olympic Plaza.
New protected bike lane to ease Village bike travel
To help bike transport on one of Whistler’s busiest thoroughfares, RMOW will install a bike lane for the Village Gate Boulevard Bikeway Demonstration Project. This protected lane will run from the Firehall driveway to the bus shelter on Village Gate Boulevard, through the summer until Labour Day.
More Evolve E-Bikes
E-bikes returned to Whistler for spring/summer 2024 in April, for year two of the BCAA pilot project, giving Whistlerites and visitors an affordable option for short trips within the municipality. In May, in partnership with Whistler Blackcomb, Evolve E-Bikes launched in eight new parking zones including Creekside, Blackcomb Staff Housing, Brio Staff Housing, Westside Staff Housing and the Vail Office.