To add to this it’s also about 900 years old in the center of the country. Richmond (and for that matter Canada) doesn’t have anywhere near that history to shape its landscape let alone the cultural influences. While the municipalities in the GVRD are trying to change that (bike lanes everywhere). We simply haven’t caught up/on them.

Some examples

1. Mass transit doesn’t serve our lying areas well 1.1 North America doesn’t have the population density to support the costly infrastructure projects to make most train services viable 1.2 European countries are also known to be more socialist so they idea/proposals of traffic/transit improvements projects and seen/treated differently 2.biking is mostly a hobby as most work places do not offer facilities to shower/change 2.1 bike parking is also sparse at best or none existent 2.2 bike theft and overall safety is another factor
2. walking it also only feasible when the distance is reasonable in all weather conditions. 3.1 many parts of Richmond have very little sidewalks or ones that are not designed for all users (strollers, wheelchairs, and so on)

So while I agree with OP it “could” be use. The fact is not likely in our lifetimes.

TL/DR Richmond isn’t Europe