Location Transport - Has anyone driven on the British Columbia Highway 99, Sea-to-Sky Highway segment?

Has anyone driven on the British Columbia Highway 99, Sea-to-Sky Highway segment?

I am trying to determine if it is achievable to bicycle from Brentwood Park (North Burnaby) to Whistler in one day. Logically the only route is the British Columbia Highway 99, Sea-to-Sky Highway segment. 1.I understand that the Ministry of Transportation currently allows cyclists on all highways. However, how heavy is the average traffic flow during weekdays? 2.How was the road condition? Were the roads paved smoothly? 3.How long did it take you to drive? 4.What was your average speed? 5.How steep were the hills? Your sincere reply will be well valued.

Public Comments

well, its 1 1/2 hours driving time in light traffic at average speed of 80 km/hr so to bike it one day would require a very early start and a long day of pedaling. You wont be able to bike along Hwy#1 (the fastest route out) so would end up going west down lougheed to Hwy#99 (granville) and then north out of the city. The traffic flow especially on weekends can be heavy. The road is pavement all the way but there are a lot of twists and sharp turns which I would be a bit concerned about on a bicycle knowing how inept most drivers are. There is no bicycle lane most of the way. There are some very steep climbs north of squamish. If you wanted to do this might suggest doing it from north to south rather than south to north as downhill is in your favour from whistler to Vancouver.
Biking up Highway 99 Whistler could be hazardous to your health and life, especially on a weekend when traffic is usually heavier. There are some sections that are very winding and right up against the face of a cliff and if a car comes up behind you they might not see you until the last minute. The road is also quite hilly so it would be quite a work-out. The road surface is very good and there is constant construction in an attempt to make it safer and faster for the 2010 Olympics. Personally, I would drive rather than bike. The drive from Vancouver takes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours depending on traffic conditions. Your speed can be anywhere from 100 kph to 0. If you do bike to Whistler try not to do the return trip on a Sunday afternoon as that is when most of the drunks are returning to the Lower mainland and their driving skills might not be the best. Please put a lot of thought into this before you make you decision to bike or not to bike.
"Hi"....I have a suggestion inasmuch as I don't ride ! I do however drive to Whistler constantly though and do see bikes quite often from Horseshoe Bay all the way to Whistler ! This is the "Vancouver Bicycle Club " and I have seen them on the Sea to Sky....as well as others. http://vbc.bc.ca/vbctours.shtml I'd think someone there has the answers and hope that helps ya ! Just my opinion but I'd think it's "BETTER TO ASK THE ACTUAL PEOPLE THAT DO THAT RIDE" all the time and know all the ins' and outs'....just makes sense ! *S* (Michael C)
I dont think that will be safe the roads are pretty narrow and with all the traffic that could be really dangerous. Plus the roads are SO windy and it drops off into a ravine or the ocean in most parts. Plus at this time of year, it will probably be raining so the roads would be slippy too....
Yes, it's possible, but it's a full day of biking. Hard to predict how heavy the traffic will be - it's a very busy highway during the week as well as on the weekends. The road conditions are good - there are a couple of steep hills, but nothing you can't handle.
i really won't want to bike on that stretch...even on week days there can be lots of traffic dn there are steep hills as u approach squamish area and the roads are all pretty narrow with no bike lanes drive from vancouver to squamish at average of 80km/h will take around 11/2 hrs and although the road conditions are normally pretty nice but when it rains it can turn ugly fast! so if u really want to bike around i'd suggest u bike on s.w marine drive in or out of ubc it's a full stretch of 80km/h+ driving most ppl drive at 100+ so there won't be much cars on the road the cars will just wizz by u and there are forests on one side and water on the other so u can get some fresh air while bikeing
I have to agree with the people who feel it's hazardous. There are any number of people on Sea to Sky whose driving skills are not the best to begin with or going too fast and maybe having too much to drink. When it's wet it's even worse. The road itself is much improved since the days when it was the deadliest highway in Canada, but it's still many of the same drivers.
I think you can. Have fun...Give yourself enough time to do it in the light of day. Leave early so it doesn't get dark. Be careful