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.
Access Barrier: Typical maze gate showing the narrow opening that restricts many legitimate trail users.
Contact Mayor and Council
Encourage Council to Support the Pilot Project
Let Mayor and Council know that you support the staff recommendation for a $100,000 pilot project to replace 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:
mayorcouncil@tol.ca
Township of Langley Mayor and Council
Maze Gate Locations
Major Campaign Update - November 2025
Staff Report Released!
Township Engineering has released their comprehensive memo on baffle gates, identifying 447 locations and providing detailed retrofit options and cost estimates.
Key Findings from the November 3, 2025 Memo:
- 447 baffle gate locations identified throughout the Township
- 362 "optional" gates suitable for removal or retrofit
- 85 gates on steep hills or at railway crossings recommended to remain
- Three retrofit options proposed with costs ranging from $1.2M to $2.5M for all optional gates
- Subdivision Bylaw update in progress - anticipated completion in 2026 to eliminate baffle gates from new developments
- $100,000 pilot project recommended to retrofit up to 20 locations prioritized by proximity to schools, parks, and recreation facilities
- Regional trend confirmed - 9 Lower Mainland municipalities are actively removing baffle gates
What This Means:
This comprehensive staff report validates the concerns raised by Strong Towns Langley, HUB Cycling, and community members. The Township is now positioned to move forward with concrete action to improve trail accessibility.
By the Numbers
Next Steps
Council will consider this memo at their November 3, 2025 meeting. If the pilot project is approved, Strong Towns Langley and HUB Cycling will work with staff to help prioritize the first 20 locations for retrofit.
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
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Social Media Campaign
Short-Form Video Series on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok
"Eliminate the Maze Gates"
Introduction slideshow showcasing maze gate locations around the Township
"Real-World Impact on Mobility Users"
Overhead footage of mobility scooter navigating maze gates at two locations
In July 2025, Strong Towns Langley launched a social media awareness campaign featuring short 60-second videos highlighting the accessibility barriers created by maze gates throughout the Township. The videos use Meghan Trainor's "No" as their soundtrack - a fitting choice since maze gates effectively say "no" to many legitimate trail users who should have access to our public pathways.
The first video introduces viewers to the scope of the maze gate problem across the Township and encourages them to contact Township Engineering. The second video demonstrates real-world impact by showing a mobility scooter attempting to navigate two different maze gate locations:
- 212A Place near James Kennedy Elementary: The narrow gate completely blocks the mobility scooter, despite the pathway already being too narrow for vehicles - making the restrictive gate both unnecessary and exclusionary.
- 211 Street near West Langley Elementary: While the scooter can navigate this wider gate, the footage illustrates the anxiety and difficulty these barriers create for people who depend on mobility devices.
These videos help illustrate that maze gates don't just inconvenience families with trailers or cargo bikes - they can completely exclude people using mobility devices, violating the principle that public trails should be accessible to everyone.
Regional Success Story: Coquitlam's Maze Gate Removal
Other municipalities are taking steps to eliminate maze gates.
"De-mazed": Coquitlam Eliminates Maze Gates from Trail Network
It can be done! In 2023, the City of Coquitlam officially removed maze gates from their design guidelines and began systematically eliminating these accessibility barriers from their trail network.
150+
Total maze gates identified32
Gates removed or plannedWorking with HUB Cycling, Coquitlam recognized that "maze/baffle gates improves accessibility for all users as they can be challenging to navigate for individuals with mobility aids, strollers, and bikes."
What Coquitlam Did Right
- Removed maze gates from design standards
- Prioritized high-traffic areas (schools, parks, transit)
- Partnered with cycling advocacy groups
- Systematic removal with clear timeline
Implementation Details
- Cost: $500-$1,500 per gate removal
- Replacement: Single posts or bollards
- Timeline: Phased approach over multiple years
- Priority: High-use trail connections
The Langley Opportunity
Coquitlam's success demonstrates that maze gate removal is achievable, cost-effective, and improves accessibility for everyone. With Councillor Pratt's motion already directing staff to study alternatives, Langley is positioned to follow Coquitlam's lead and create truly accessible trails for all users.
Campaign Timeline
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 LangleyCouncil 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.
Strong Towns Langley Social Media and Public Awareness Campaign
Launch of community awareness campaign which includes short videos on social media, highlighting accessibility issues and family impact.
Comprehensive Staff Report Released
Township Engineering releases detailed memo identifying 447 baffle gate locations with three retrofit options and cost estimates. Staff recommends a $100,000 pilot project to retrofit up to 20 locations, prioritized by proximity to schools, parks, and recreation facilities.
Bylaw Update & Pilot Project
Subdivision Bylaw update anticipated to eliminate baffle gates from new developments. If approved, pilot project will retrofit first 20 baffle gate locations with input from cycling advocates and community stakeholders.
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
- 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 UpdatedPartner 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 LangleyRelated Strong Towns Campaigns
This campaign connects to our broader advocacy for accessible, people-centered infrastructure throughout Langley.
View All Campaigns