Transportation Policy
In October 2020, as part of the General Provincial Election, we sent a 3-question survey to the campaigns of the BC Green Party, BC Liberal Party, and BC NDP.
As part of our 5-year strategic plan, we developed our policy recommendations for better mobility in BC.
1) Establish Clear Transportation Mode Share Goals for BC
Transportation mode share goals for BC - that is, our expressed intentions for the proportional use of motor vehicles, public transit, cycling and walking by British Columbians — must be defined. Mode share goals should take into account evidence-based analysis of both current and target greenhouse gas emissions from road transportation in BC.
2) Make Equitable Investments in Active Transportation (AT)
Commitments to spending on active transportation planning, policy work, infrastructure, and education and encouragement programs, must be similar to spending in leading jurisdictions worldwide. Investments should be made on a per capita basis and proportional to mode share targets for cycling and walking. All capital expenditures, operating expenses and maintenance costs for active transportation facilities should be accounted for in Ministry service plans and project budgets.
3) Reflect the True Costs & Benefits of Transportation in Planning Decisions
Planning decisions affecting walking and cycling should account for all transportation costs and benefits that are known and available to us today from peer-reviewed, evidence-based research. Planning processes must reflect the true value of active transportation in order to ensure appropriate investments are made in overall transport system diversity and efficiency, and should be reflected in ministerial service plans. This will, in turn, influence the actual amount of active travel that can be generated in BC.
4) Update and Enforce the Cycling Policy
More, higher quality cycling and walking infrastructure is needed along all provincial rights-of-way, and major capital expenditures for such facilities should be proportionately equivalent to those made for motor vehicles on the basis of mode share targets. In order to achieve this, BC’s 20-year-old cycling policy must be rigorously updated and enforced.
5) Commit to AT Infrastructure Investments on Provincial Rights-of-Way
Highways, bridges and other facilities which fall under provincial jurisdiction connect suburban and rural communities, and in some cases represent the central transportation facilities in a given BC municipality. Highway shoulders and under-utilized lanes on provincial highways between municipalities should be reallocated to and upgraded for safe and efficient walking and cycling. Safe access for active transportation should be provided at all BC ferries terminals.
6) Prioritize Legislative Protections for Vulnerable Road Users
The necessary legislative and regulatory frameworks to enable the growth of active transportation should be developed, according to the needs of British Columbians and with reference to best practices implemented in comparable jurisdictions. The need to resolve the inherent contradictions in the Motor Vehicle Act is now more urgent than ever:
- The name of the Act
- Classification of road users
- Rules regarding cycling and pedestrian safety
- The fine structure and amounts for violating the Act
7) Develop Comprehensive Laws & Regulations for e-Bikes & Micromobility
When Transport Canada repealed its own legislative authority over electric bikes, the transfer of authority to the provinces and territories created confusion within the e-bike manufacturing and retail sectors regarding common definitions and uses of e-bikes. The development of a comprehensive system of classification and regulation for e-bikes and other personal mobility devices is needed in order to ensure their safe and lawful use. Because an e-bike is a viable alternative to the car for many BC residents, better financial incentives are needed to encourage affordable, equitable access and adoption by more British Columbians.
8) Fully Implement Carbon Pricing
Transportation sectors and technologies should be subject to pricing - via product levies and/or user fees — that accounts for CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions. Funds collected from carbon pricing programs should be reinvested in the cleanest and most efficient forms of transportation, like public transit, cycling, and walking.
9) Mandate AT Investments from BC's Public Auto Insurance System
The provincial government has focused on reducing the cost of public auto insurance for motor vehicle operators through legislative and regulatory changes, some of which will impact vulnerable road users negatively, even those who do not hold ICBC policies. In parallel to these changes, ICBC reports that every $1 they invest in road improvements results in $4.70 in savings for British Columbians in the form of reduced crash frequency and severity. The budget for ICBC’s Road Improvement Program should be increased significantly to deliver more safety benefits to both active and motorized transportation.
10) Lead North America in Transportation Policy & Outcomes
The provincial government has shown, through its governance and oversight of public transit, that BC has the ability to be a leader on both policy and outcomes; in 2019, TransLink was named the best transit system in North America. It's time for BC to establish a centralized, multi-disciplinary active transportation ‘centre of excellence’ — centralizing all active transportation-related governance, policy, strategies, infrastructure investments, education and encouragement programs within a single agency could fulfill the potential for transportation innovation, in order to truly transform BC and help British Columbians prepare for future mobility challenges.
