The British Columbia Electric Railway tram line cut through the neighbourhood, with many streets today bearing the same names as the former tramway's multiple stations.

Big Bend is bounded by Marine Drive to the north, Fenwick Street to the east, the Fraser River to the south and Boundary Road to the west.

The formerly narrow and quiet Byrne Road now fronts many commercial businesses along the route to the popular Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park, which offers riverside paths and trails, outdoor gym equipment, an off-leash dog zone, picnic and fishing spots, and a playground.

Chinese-Canadians have for decades leased or owned market gardens on the rich soils of Big Bend after draining the natural cranberry marshes once used by First Nations.

Many of these creeks are salmonoid bearing, while the associated urban woods support coyote, beaver, muskrat, garter snake, salamander, and various bird populations.