Vancouver residents and business owners could face fines of up to $2,000 if they fail to clear snow or ice from their sidewalks this winter, city officials are warning.

Operations manager Murray Wightman says residents and business who don't clear their sidewalks will first receive a warning, but repeat offenders will face fines.

Wightman says clearing snow and ice out front of homes or businesses is particularly important to help seniors get around.

On the roads the city's snow clearing plan remains the same as last year, which includes prioritizing bus and bike routes, he says.

"They clear the major road system in Vancouver, which is the bus lanes and bus routes and then I have a list of priority bike routes to clear."

He says there are 15 bike routes on the list for snow clearing.

Controversy erupted last year after there were allegations made that some roads weren't cleared while bike routes were.