Eliminate Maze Gates Campaign

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Eliminate Maze Gates Campaign

Advocating for the removal of inaccessible maze gates (baffle gates) from Langley's trail network to ensure equitable access for all trail users.

Campaign Overview

Maze gates (also called baffle gates or bicycle stop baffles) are restrictive barriers installed at trail entrances and road crossings throughout Township of Langley. While designed to slow cyclists and prevent motor vehicle access, these gates create significant barriers for many trail users.

These gates restrict access for families with bike trailers, cargo bikes, users with mobility devices, and anyone who doesn't fit the narrow profile these gates assume. They particularly impact parents cycling with children, people using adaptive cycles, and delivery workers using cargo bikes.

Strong Towns Langley has joined HUB Cycling Langley in advocating for the replacement of these exclusionary barriers with more accessible alternatives like bollards that provide the same safety benefits without restricting legitimate trail users.

Maze gate restricting trail access showing the narrow opening

Access Barrier: Typical maze gate showing the narrow opening that restricts many legitimate trail users.

Contact Township Engineering

Staff Report in Progress: Following Councillor Pratt's successful April 28th motion, Township staff are currently working on a report about replacing maze gates with more accessible alternatives. Your input can help inform their recommendations.
Send Your Support for Accessible Trail Barriers

Let Township Engineering know that you support replacing maze gates with accessible alternatives. You can write your own email or use AI to generate one you can quickly fill in and send:

Send to:

enginfo@tol.ca
Township of Langley Engineering Department

You can edit the subject and message above before sending. Both buttons will open your email with the content pre-filled.
(shout-out to strong towns nanaimo, who pioneered ai letters in their parking campaign!)

Maze Gate Locations

Interactive map showing documented maze gate locations throughout Langley. Click markers for details. These mazegates are not marked on the TOL GIS map, so a huge thank you to Gaith Sarhan, HUB Cycling Langley and other contributors for compiling this map with crowd-sourced data. See a maze gate we missed? Contact us to contribute!
Download KML File
Explore Cycling in Langley

Learn more about Langley's cycling network, infrastructure types, and resources. Our comprehensive cycling guide includes an interactive map, route information, and tips for cyclists of all levels.

View Cycling Guide
Walnut Grove Greenway cycling path

Campaign Progress

Complete

Council Motion

Active

Community Outreach

Pending

Staff Report

Upcoming

Implementation

Community Outreach Campaign

July 2025 Poster Campaign

Strong Towns Langley is launching a community awareness campaign with posters installed at maze gate locations throughout the Township. Our message is clear: "This gate is supposed to stop cars but actually THIS MAZE GATE RESTRICTS: Family bike rides." and other kinds of uses.

The poster campaign aims to:

  • Raise awareness about accessibility issues with current maze gates
  • Show how these barriers affect real families and trail users
  • Demonstrate that trails should be for everyone
  • Encourage community members to contact the Township about this issue

Each poster includes a QR code directing people to our campaign page for more information and ways to get involved.

Strong Towns Langley maze gate campaign poster

Our Campaign Poster: Community outreach materials highlighting accessibility barriers created by maze gates.

Campaign Timeline

2018 - Present
HUB Cycling Langley Advocacy

HUB Cycling Langley has been advocating for the removal of maze gates since 2018, documenting accessibility issues and proposing alternative solutions like bollards.

Visit HUB Langley
April 28, 2025
Council Motion Success

Councillor Pratt successfully brings forward a Notice of Motion asking staff to examine potential changes to eliminate bicycle stop baffles in favor of more accessible trail barriers.

July 2025
Strong Towns Langley Poster Campaign

Launch of community awareness campaign with posters installed at maze gate locations throughout the Township, highlighting accessibility issues and family impact.

Coming Months
Awaiting Staff Report

Township staff to provide an update on work being undertaken to identify potential bylaw changes and present list of current baffle gate locations with replacement costs.

April 28, 2025 Council Motion Details

Councillor Pratt's Motion: "Potentially Reducing Barriers for Urban Trail Users"

Key Motion Points:

  • Recognizes that bicycle stop baffles "limit the ability for various users, such as those with cargo bikes and bikes with passenger trailers"
  • Acknowledges there are "potentially other barrier types that can be used to slow cyclists and prevent access to automobiles while still facilitating the safe use of trails by all users"
  • Directs staff to identify potential changes to eliminate bicycle stop baffles "in favour of other, more accessible trail barriers"
  • Requests a list of current baffle gate locations "in areas of key importance to the Township's urban cycling network"
  • Asks for cost estimates associated with replacement of the bicycle stop baffles

This motion represents a significant victory for accessibility advocates and demonstrates Council's recognition that current infrastructure creates barriers for legitimate trail users.

Who Maze Gates Exclude

  • Families with Children: Parents using bike trailers or cargo bikes to transport kids
  • Adaptive Cyclists: People using hand cycles, trikes, or other mobility devices
  • Cargo Bike Users: Delivery workers, grocers, or anyone transporting goods
  • Tandem Cyclists: Couples or families using tandem bicycles
  • E-bike Users: Some e-bikes are wider than traditional bicycles
  • Emergency Services: Paramedics or police using specialized bikes

Better Alternatives

  • Removable Bollards: Prevent motor vehicle access while allowing all cycles to pass
  • Flexible Bollards: Bend when contacted but spring back, allowing wider vehicles when needed
  • Spaced Bollards: Multiple bollards with adequate spacing for cargo bikes and trailers
  • Chicanes with Adequate Width: Gentle curves that slow cyclists without creating pinch points
  • Speed Bumps: Slow cyclists without restricting access based on vehicle width
  • Surface Treatment: Textured pavement that alerts users to slow down

Get Involved

How You Can Help
  • Share Your Experience: Have you been unable to use a trail because of a maze gate? Your story helps illustrate the real impact of these barriers.
  • Contact the Township: Let Township staff know that you support replacing maze gates with accessible alternatives.
  • Spread Awareness: Share information about this campaign with other trail users, families, and cycling advocates.
  • Follow the Staff Report: Stay engaged as staff develop their recommendations for Council consideration.
  • Join the Movement: Connect with both Strong Towns Langley and HUB Cycling Langley to support ongoing advocacy efforts.

Trails should be for everyone. Help us make Langley's trail network truly accessible to all users, regardless of the type of bike or mobility device they use.

Trails for Everyone

Our goal is simple: ensure all trail users can access Langley's beautiful trail network safely and equitably.

Stay Updated

Partner Organizations

HUB Cycling Langley

HUB Cycling Langley has been the leading advocate for maze gate removal since 2018. They've documented accessibility issues, engaged with Township staff, and continue to push for inclusive cycling infrastructure.

Visit HUB Langley
Related Strong Towns Campaigns

This campaign connects to our broader advocacy for accessible, people-centered infrastructure throughout Langley.

View All Campaigns