And Victoria is a revelation for cycling culture. Anyone who says North America doesn't have a city with that culture needs to take a trip there. There were myriad riders everywhere, lots of bikes locked up on stands, and lots of older bikes converted to utility use.
The drivers also seemed to be remarkably patient, and there were quite a few bike lanes, although fewer paths. Bike routes were well marked, including the Galloping Goose and the coastal routes.
We've ridden Vancouver Island before, and it is what we consider to be an ideal summer holiday destination for cyclists. The ferries from the mainland are quite easy to board and disembark, and a person can island hop using the other ferries.
The main highway north to Campbell River has quite dirty shoulders and the last time we were there, I had several punctures. But there is the coastal route that parellels much of the main highway, and that is very pleasant indeed.
Out of all the locations where we have cycled, I would rank Vancouver Island with the West Coast of France (and, well, France and Belgium generally) for cycling holiday potential.
By the way, the little taxi ferries that run around Victoria's harbour are better known to the locals as Pickle Boats, because they look like dill pickles floating along on the water.