yoursecret

No, you're not supposed to bike on the sidewalk but people do it all the time. They can give you a fine but I've never seen or known anyone got a fine.

If you follow the bike route, it's pretty safe.
http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/cycling/bikeways/maps.htm

yoursecret

I never heard of the bell fine neither.
For Richmond, probably along the dikes on the west side. It's completely flat and very wide, so super easy.

yoursecret

Wearing a helmet gives you "helmet hair", no need to go for Japanese straightening anymore.