As mentioned in previous updates, on May 12th, Council gave third reading and final adoption to the proposed amendments to the City’s Zoning Bylaw that reduces the required rates for the provision of bicycle parking spaces and dimensions according to defined types of spaces.  

Additional information can be found in the  full report by City staff. 

May 13, 2025

At their meeting on April 28th, Council gave first and second reading to the proposed amendments to the City’s Zoning Bylaw that reduces the required rates for the provision of bicycle parking spaces and dimensions according to defined types of spaces. The City’s current off-street bicycle parking space requirements are generally consistent with other municipalities. Notwithstanding, the Task Force identified the potential for continuous improvement to amend the Zoning Bylaw to be more flexible and in line with resident demands. To evaluate merits for updates to the Zoning Bylaw requirements, staff conducted on-site surveys of bicycle parking utilization within multi-family towers in City Centre, as well as a regional comparison of municipal bicycle parking requirements. 

Utilization Review

Staff conducted on-site surveys of bicycle parking utilization for 13 multi-family tower sites (with a total of 5,579 dwelling units) within City Centre in March 2025, during which the dwelling occupancy rate was high. The survey results found that actual bicycle parking utilization rates were significantly lower than the City’s prescribed requirements of 1.2 bicycle spaces per dwelling unit, leading to empty storage rooms which could be used for alternate applications (vehicle parking, waste collection, resident storage, etc.). The average utilization rate was 0.1 bicycles per dwelling unit (including unoccupied units) and a maximum utilization rate of 0.27 bicycles per dwelling unit, summarized as follows: 

In consideration of maximizing on-site efficiencies while accommodating sufficient bicycle parking needs and future growth in demand, staff recommend the Zoning Bylaw be amended as summarized below: 

• Revise the required bicycle parking rates for all multi-family sites to 0.4 spaces per dwelling unit, which is four times the current occupancy rate and 50% above highest utilization which allows for growth in cycling mode share;  
• Permit the number of required off-street parking spaces (vehicle) to be reduced by 2% with provision of additional dedicated bicycle parking spaces equating to a minimum of an additional 0.25 spaces per dwelling unit;  
• Permit secured bicycle parking areas to be located in parking levels P1 to P3, provided that convenient access within 75m of an elevator or at-grade entry door is accommodated; and
• Permit flexibility in allocation of bicycle parking areas, to be in either a dedicated bicycle storage room, or bike lockers, secured wall mountable racks, or combination thereof, provided that the minimum bicycle storage dimensions for individual spaces per the Zoning Bylaw are met. 

The public hearing for the proposed amendments is scheduled for May 12th, at 7:00 PM. 

Additional information can be found in the  full report by City staff.