One of Canada’s oldest bike races is closing Vancouver streets this week
The Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix returns to Vancouver this week, and residents and commuters are warned that the bike race will impact traffic in the area.
Canada’s oldest one-day cycling classic will take place on Wednesday, July 8. Hundreds of competitors and 30,000 spectators are expected to attend.
Several streets in Downtown Vancouver will be closed or restricted starting on the morning of the event to accommodate the festivities.
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“We’re so excited to return to this course design for this year’s Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix racecourse,” said race director Mark Ernsting in a release.
“Spectators will be even closer to the action as riders speed past the Carrall Street patios and Maple Tree Square viewing areas. The shorter course will mean even more intense racing throughout the evening.”
The schedule of events includes a youth race, opening ceremonies, women’s pro race, men’s pro race, and awards ceremonies.
Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix
Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix posted online that multiple streets in the neighbourhood will close on July 8 to accommodate setting up, the races, and tearing down after the event.
The list of full closures includes:
- Cambie Street from Blood Alley to the alley north of the water from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday
- Water Street from Carrall Street to Richards Street from 5 a.m. to noon on Thursday
- Abbott Street from Blood Alley to the alley north of the water from 5 a.m. to midnight
- Blood Alley from Home Street to Carrall Street from 2 to 10:30 p.m.
- Cordova Street from Richards Street to Carrall Street from 2 to 10:30 p.m.
- Carall Street from Cordova Street to Blood Alley from 2 to 11 p.m.
- Abbott Street from Cordova Street to Water Street from 2 to 11 p.m.
There will also be parking restrictions on the closed streets starting one hour earlier.
Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix
The start and finish line for the Gastown Grand Prix bike race is located at the intersection of Water Street and Cambie Street. The team alley is on Abbott Street between West Cordova Street and Water Street.
Festivities kick off with the youth race at 5:10 p.m., featuring the next generation of elite athletes.
Opening ceremonies are slated for just before 6 p.m., with the women’s 48 km pro race starting at 6:15 p.m. and the men’s 60 km pro race beginning at 7:30 p.m.
An awards ceremony will celebrate the top three men and women in their respective races at 9 p.m. for the 53rd annual event.
The weather for the event is shaping up to be warm and dry, as Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is calling for a run of sunshine for the next seven days in Vancouver.
Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix
When: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 5:10 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Various streets in Gastown, Vancouver
Admission: Free
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