The Capital Regional District (CRD) is upgrading key sections of the Galloping Goose and Lochside Regional Trails to support growing demand. These popular multi-use trails now welcome over 3.8 million visits each year, with usage expected to increase by 2.5% annually. Approximately 80% of trail users are cyclists and 20% are pedestrians.

The following was taken from the project page on 2026-09-12:

Temporary Closures

Note that the trail will also be closed on occasion because of the BC Hydro cable replacement project.

In August 2023, a circuit failed in Arbutus Park near the shoreline of the Gorge Waterway and Cecelia Creek, and during its repair BC Hydro found widespread corrosion on the outer sheath of the cables. They started construction in early 2025 and plan to have the new cable in-service in fall 2026.

The following was taken from the BC Hydro project page on 2026-09-12:

August 2026

We’ve posted our latest community construction report for the Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project. The August 2026 report [PDF, 15.8 MB] covers the project’s status and activities, the successful placement of the conduits under the Gorge Waterway, construction schedule for the Gorge Waterway, Viaduct Park, Banfield Park, and Esquimalt Substation. The community construction reports are issued every month.

Ongoing trail detours

Refer to the Galloping Goose Regional Trail detour notice [PDF, 123 KB], and northbound detour map [PDF, 13.4 MB] and southbound detour map [PDF, 13.4 MB].

Refer to the Banfield Park Trail detour map [PDF, 13.4 MB].

Significantly for Vic West residents, the project affects Banfield Park, water navigation in the Gorge, and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail on the east side of the gorge.

Banfield Park Trail users should be aware that the detour route has substantially steeper slopes than the trail.

As you have likely noticed, a bike share system has launched in the City of Victoria, and a map of bike share parking spaces is available. For the most up to date information the place to look is the Lime app.

The system is launching in phases. The first, which happened in August 2026, saw 400 bikes rolled out over about 100 stations in the western part of the city. This included the neighbourhoods of Downtown, Victoria West, James Bay, North Park, Burnside and Hillside Quadra. Expansion to the remainder of the city is happening now and should complete by the end of the year, at which point there will be many more e-bikes and about 200 parking zones.

Parking zones are located along AAA cycling routes, near key destinations or in proximity to major transit routes. Parking zones are designed to be a maximum of 400m distance, decreasing to 100-200m spacing in denser neighbourhoods (such as James Bay).

Safety and Equipment

All of the e-bikes are set to a maximum motor-assisted speed of 25 km/h. Designated slow-go zones will be further restricted to 15 km/h. A limited number of other areas will be designated as no-go zones. 

Adjustable helmets are available on all bikes, locked in the front baskets and will be sanitized regularly. The bikes are pedal-assist (as opposed to throttle-assist), have front baskets, kickstands, step-through frames, automatic front and back lights and adjustable seats.

The bikes are built with proprietary parts, including anti-tamper security screws, reducing theft due to the lack of compatibility of components with other e-bikes. The rear bike wheel is mechanically locked when not in use and future docking stations will lock e-bikes in place when parked. Each bike has a GPS signal, visible, unique identifiable numbers and is registered with Project 529. In the event of bike theft or damage, a retrieval and replacement plan will be in place

There is work happening on Pine Street.

According to the City, the work will take place in phases. Details for the first phase are below. A second phase will have a greater impact on the community centre, as work will be concentrated at Pine Street and Craigflower Road. We don’t yet have a confirmed start date for that phase, but I will reach out again directly by email in advance.

Phase One:

What’s Happening:

• Pedestrian, accessibility and street improvements
• New shared use bike symbols on Pine St.
• New turn restriction: Right turns only from Pine St. to Dominion Rd.

Where: Pine St., Craigflower to Dominion Rd.

Duration: Work is expected to start in July and take about two months to complete.

What to Expect: Lane and road closures, temporary parking restrictions, plus construction noise, dust and odours. Please use caution and follow directions from signs and crews.

This work is part of BC Hydro’s Victoria to Esquimalt Cable Replacement Project.

There is bike trail construction work between the Esquimalt Substation and Hereward Road. Crews will began work on September 15, and the work may last through the week. There will then be a construction break as they work in other locations though crews will return to complete the trail and pave it with asphalt. The trail section from the E&N Trail along the substation fence is essentially complete with the exception of the asphalt placement. The work that started September 15 will continue the trail so it interconnects to Hereward Road.

BC Hydro’s Esquimalt Substation lands include the newly extended footprint of the substation and fence to the E&N Trail, as well as the lot where the new bike path will be located to connect to Hereward Road. BC Hydro has worked with City of Victoria staff on the improved trail that replaces the informal and narrow dirt trail that went through the substation property and was cut-off with the substation expansion. BC Hydro is covering the cost of the new and improved trail as a community benefit. The City of Victoria, through an agreement with BC Hydro, will maintain the new trail.