The BEST story begins in 1991 with a small group of dedicated cyclists, intent on sharing their passion and vision for community building and environmental sustainability through bicycling. Within a year, Better Environmentally Sound Transportation was incorporated as a non-profit society and soon obtained registered federal charity status.

BEST quickly became the local voice for cycling issues, coordinating events during National Environment Week and in 1993 opening Our Community Bikes, Vancouver’s first do-it-yourself bike store.

By 1996, BEST had broadened its range of activities to include all forms of sustainable transportation. Various programs and public awareness campaigns were launched to promote alternatives to automobile use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat climate change, and inform people about the environmental, health, and community issues surrounding transportation.

In 2002, BEST was voted by Vancity members to be the recipient of Vancity's first million dollar grant award--an award that was used to bring together municipalities, businesses and regional government to build the Central Valley Greenway, now one of the jewels of the region's active transportation network.

Today, BEST is still the region’s most active and clear voice for sustainable transportation choices. Since its inception, BEST has grown from a small activist group to an organization that works with governments, educators, youth, workplaces and community groups to bring about the changes that will contribute to a better quality of life for people and communities in the Lower Mainland.