Good news! The BC government has stated it will establish an active transportation strategy in 2019 as part of it's CleanBC plan. This has been one of the BC Cycling Coalition's top goals. We are really excited to see it move forward. Thanks to all of you who sent letters, signed the Cycling and Walking for Everyone petition and donated to our campaigns. Your actions really make a difference!

We are also excited that Minister Trevena met with us the day after the CleanBC plan was announced. It is great to have a Minister of Transportation committed to developing an active transportation strategy. 

From the CleanBC plan, page 25:

The BC Cycling Coalition, working partners including the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition and Friends of Rails to Trails Vancouver Island, identified opportunities to improve cycling and walking transportation, recreation and tourism in the Mid Vancouver Island Region focusing on the Comox Valley Regional District. This project is helping to build the support and background information required for possible future project applications including legacy trails and employment development grants.

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View the Mid Vancouver Island Cycling Feasibility Study

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Your Feedback

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Thanks to the Rural Dividend Fund for their financial support of this project.

This project is part of our Moving Active Transportation Forward in BC initiative.

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Some good news! The Finance Committee's report on the 2018 Budget consultations recommends the creation of an active transportation strategy including increased investment in active transportation infrastructure, education, promotion and safety. 

This marks the first time the creation active transportation strategy has been mentioned in a budget report, an important step forward. Still, work needs to be done to ensure the BC Government promptly moves forward on the creation of a strategy and commits the resources needed to create and implement a great active transportation that will enable everyone to safely cycle for their daily trips.

Please Email the Premier for an Active Transportation Strategy and Increased Funding Cycling

Specifically, from the Report on the Budget 2018 Consultation (page 68):

Active Transportation (Cycling and Walking)

81. Create a provincial active transportation strategy, including increased investment in active transportation infrastructure, education and promotion, as well as safety initiatives.

The report said quite a few of the survey responses focused on active transportation and transit. Thanks to all of you who responded to the survey or made submissions!

BC Cycling Coalition Executive Director Richard Campbell made a presentation to the committee in September highlighting the need for safe affordable active transportation networks in communities across BC. Thanks also to our partner organizations, HUB and BC Healthy Living Alliance for making presentations and submissions.

BC Cycling Coalition Budget Submission

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The BC Cycling Coalition has been engaging municipal officials, transportation and planning professionals, our member organizations and members of the public to determine active transportation best practices, the barriers and challenges to the implementation of complete streets and active transportation networks.

It has proven to be both an exciting and challenging time to undertake this work. In 2016, there has been significant progress in active transportation planning and implementation in a few key communities in BC and across Canada.

We will be updating this report soon. Please enter your comments below on cycling and walking progress and problems that are not included in the report.

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View the Complete Streets and Active Transportation in BC report

Download the Complete Streets and Active Transportation in BC report

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Thanks to the Real Estate Foundation of BC & Vancity for supporting our Streets For Everyone work and MEC & Canada Bikes for supporting the work on this report.

Support for this project does not necessarily imply Vancity’s or the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s endorsement of the findings or contents of this report.

Creating Smart, Fair and Healthy Transportation Options For All BC Communities

The BC Cycling Coalition is proud to be a part of the Communities on the Move Declaration, joining partners including BC Healthy Living Alliance, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Lung Association.

Show your support by sending a quick email to the leaders and candidates. We strongly encourage organizations and businesses to support improved cycling, walking and transit by endorsing the Declaration.

Vision

We envision that in 10 years, across BC – in communities small and large, it will be easy, safe and enjoyable to get around, whether by walking, biking, ride-sharing, by public transit or in a wheelchair. We want to see the provincial government making progressive investments that support active, connected and healthy communities.

{{show_more?html=This vision is guided by the following VALUES:

• Healthy Communities: Safe biking and walking routes, good street design and regular transit should be available to all British Columbians so that it is easy to be active and healthy. These can also make it easier for people to be socially connected which is important for mental health.

• Mobility for All: A range of transportation options should be available to all British Columbians – including those who live in smaller communities, and vulnerable groups such as children, older adults and those with disabilities or low incomes as well as non-drivers – so that everyone can have access to education, employment, shopping, healthcare, recreation, cultural events and social connections.

• Clean Air and Environment: Public transit and active modes of transportation should be available to all British Columbians as these can reduce local air pollution and carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.

• Economic Opportunities and Cost Savings: Active and public transportation facilities are smart investments as they can stimulate local business and tourism in communities of all sizes. These investments can also control rising healthcare costs because regular physical activity keeps people healthier and out of the healthcare system.

• Consideration of Community Needs: All BC communities should have a range of convenient, affordable transportation options that are tailored to their context – whether urban or remote, dense or dispersed, small or suburban.

• Safety for All Road Users: The design and rules of the road should ensure that all British Columbians can arrive at their destination safely.}}

{{show_more?html=How do we get there?

• A Provincial Active Transportation Strategy
  • Invest $100M per year over the next 10 years to support the development of local cycling and walking infrastructure within a larger provincial network.^2. Prioritize the completion of connected cycling and walking transportation networks.
  • Develop an Active Transportation unit within the Ministry of Transportation to provide professional planning and policy expertise at the provincial level.
  • Invest in Active School Travel Planning and standarized cycling education for healthy, active children.

• Investment in transit
  • Invest in the full implementation of the BC Transit Strategic Plan 2030 and local governments’ ‘Transit Future Plans’ to grow transit service and meet local needs.^1.
  • Ensure a fair share of capital funding and secure, predictable regional revenue tools for the full implementation of the TransLink Mayor’s Council 10-Year Vision.
  • Continue and expand the universal bus pass (UPASS) program to students and employees of post-secondary institutions.
  • Invest in public transportation systems that serve small, rural, remote and isolated communities such as the use of school buses and bus services that feed into regional centres.

• Commitment to equity
  • Ensure transit accessibility for people on disability assistance by increasing the affordability of transit passes.
  • Improve handyDART service to meet demand and to expand accessibility to evenings, Sundays and holidays.
  • Ensure funding is allocated geographically and equitably across the province. Recognize infrastructure deficits for pedestrian, cycling and transit modes as well as limitations faced by rural, remote, geographically isolated and small communities as part of funding criteria.

• Consideration of Regional Needs
  • Work with local governments to establish a Rural Transportation Strategy. Develop and invest in innovative community transportation systems, ride-sharing, tele-services and telecommuting options that can serve rural and remote British Columbians.
  • Develop and support implementation of Winter City Guidelines that give residents the opportunity to be active all year long. This should include operational measures such as snow-clearing for active transportation networks and improved winter road maintenance.
  • Support the Metro Vancouver Mayor’s Council to pursue alternative funding mechanisms.

• Commitment to Safety
  • Support the BC Road Safety Strategy Vision Zero: work with partners to create safer streets and to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on the roads of BC. Speed limits should be reduced and strictly enforced, including through the use of cameras and other proven safety measures.
  • Prioritize safety measures for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and those in wheelchairs and mobility devices.}}{{action?html=Yes. I want Healthy Transportation CHOICES!&anchor=#mailer}}

Cycle Highways (also know as Bicycle Superhighways) are high standard and continuous paved bicycle routes designed to reduce travel times and thus facilitate long distance (5-20 km) cycling trips. They connect communities and major destinations including residential areas, concentrations of jobs, schools and public transit.

Especially when combined with the use of electric bicycles, Cycle Super Highways can dramatically increase the distances people are willing to ride thus significantly reducing the use of motor vehicles.

Features include:

• Separate, high standard paths reserved for cycling separated from pedestrians and motor vehicles
• Two-way cycleway, separate lanes, 3.0 to 4.0m wide depending on volumes
• Design speeds of up to 40km/h on flat sections, higher on downhill
• Requirements for maximum grades and minimum curve radii.
• High operating and maintenance standards including frequent snow, ice and debris removal
• Grade separated crossings (overpasses or underpasses) of major roads and highways
• Few stops
• Lighting
• Greenwaves - Traffic signals synchronized to average cycling speeds

Cycling Embassy of Denmark

Keys to success is cost-sharing funding from senior levels of government and a coordinating body that can help ensure that routes are of a consistent high quality across jurisdictions.

While even with Cycle Super Highways, the mode share of longer trips by bicycle will likely be lower than that of shorter trips, the benefits of longer trips by bike are much greater both from a transportation and an environmental point of view. For example, one 15km bike trip replacing a car trip has 5 times the GHG emissions reductions as a 3km. Basically getting 4% of 15km trips by bike will have pretty much the same benefits as 20% of 3km trips by bike.

Cycle Super Highways have been implemented or are being planning in countries including:

• Netherlands:15 implemented, 20 planned
• London: 12 planned
• Australia: planned in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane
• Germany: 1 under construction, Munich: 14 planned
• Copenhagen

Our recommendations to the BC Government include:

1. Develop guidelines and best practices for Cycle Super Highways 
2. Work with regions and municipalities to plan and implement Cycle Super Highways
3. Include Cycle Super Highways when building and upgrading Provincial highways and bridges
4. Provide regions and municipalities with assistance to design Cycle Super Highways 
5. Provide funding for  Cycle Super Highways

Possible Cycle Super Highways for British Columbia include:

• BC Parkway
• Central Valley Greenway
• Portside Greenway, Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, Mountain Highway Interchange
• North Shore Spirit Trail
• Lochside Trail
• Galloping Goose
• E and N Trail
• Massey Bridge and Highway 99
• Ironworkers Memorial Bridge and Highway 1

More information

Cycle Highways - Safe Affordable Transportation for British Columbians | BCCC (View, Download PDF)

Cycle Highways | German Institute of Urban Affairs (View) 

Share your ideas for Cycle Super Highways in BC and examples of Cycle Super Highways elsewhere