CleanBC must lead the way to more active transport & less driving
The B.C. Government’s new CleanBC RoadMap to 2030 is calling for much less automobile travel and much more walking, cycling and transit to ‘fill the gap’ in mandated provincial emission reduction targets by 2030. Now it has to deliver the investments necessary to achieve that.
Ambitious new targets for everyday personal transportation in B.C. include:
Reduce distances travelled by automobiles in 2030 by 25% (relative to 2020)
Increase the share of trips (mode shift) of walking, cycling and transit to 30% by 2030, 40% by 2040 and 50% by 2050.
Implement a Clean Transportation Action Plan by 2023
Excerpt from B.C. Government’s CleanBC Road Map to 2030
The targeted 25% reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) is new for British Columbia and is a welcome pivot by the provincial government. It appears the province now recognizes that transport sector emissions can’t be addressed only through cleaner fuels and a growing fleet of electric vehicles.
In a section tellingly entitled Road to Transformation, the CleanBC report makes clear that stronger and broader strategies are needed to reduce transport emissions: “…meeting our targets in the transportation sector demands aggressive action” and will be “achieved in part by supporting more compact urban planning in partnership with municipalities to increase active transportation and public transit.”
Our automobile-dependent transportation system has to be replaced
The British Columbia Cycling Coalition is pleased to see this newfound emphasis on mode shift and VKTs (vehicle kilometres travelled). Indeed, our July 2021 policy submission to the CleanBC team underlined the need to reduce overall car travel and dramatically increase investments in public and active transportation (AT). Addressed to Ministers George Heyman and Rob Fleming, our commentary stressed that “reducing VKT will require a shift away from an automobile-dependent transportation system and … bold moves to foster and support a truly multi-modal transportation system province-wide” and an “expanded focus on public transit, AT and new mobilities, with complementary efforts in land use, smart growth and the built environment.”
Accelerated plans to achieve much greater ‘mode shift’ in provincial travel patterns were first announced in 2019. B.C.’s Active Transportation Strategy (Move.Commute.Connect) featured a top-line target to “double the percentage of trips taken with active transportation by 2030.” So last month’s CleanBC mode shift targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050 both reinforce and extend those goals – and demand a much stronger provincial investment in active transportation to meet that commitment.
Active Transportation Grants need to be quadrupled...now
These ambitious new goals thus raise some looming questions - and opportunities. How quickly will we see the provincial pivot on transport policy reflected in its budgetary priorities? To realize substantially fewer car trips and increased public transit ridership and more people biking, walking and using other new mobilities for everyday travel will undoubtedly require direct (and different) investments from the B.C. Government – most especially in the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s (MOTI) 2022 budget.
The primary provincial mechanism to fund bicycle infrastructure is the Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant (ATIG) program – formerly known as BikeBC. In 2019, the program’s criteria expanded to include pedestrian-oriented projects, skateboarding and other forms of active mobility – but only saw a modest boost to its budget. We have previously called for the ATIG budget to be immediately quadrupled – from the current $12Millon/year to $50Million annually. There’s now a stronger case to be made for much greater funding for active transportation – perhaps via a new program fund or emphasis on regionally significant projects.
It’s not difficult to find large active transportation projects in need of urgent upgrades and major funding support. To cite one example, the Galloping Goose/Lochside multi-use trail is the central spine for commuter and recreational bicyclists in the Victoria region; it’s also very popular with walkers, dog-owners, skateboarders, wheelchair users and more. There can be up to 4000 trail users on busy days – often creating significant capacity, safety and speed differential issues for users. The Capital Regional District recently approved a plan to widen, light and create separate user lanes on urban segments of the trail in Saanich and Victoria, at an estimated cost of almost $18million.
New active transportation networks need millions, not thousands
MOTI’s Active Transportation Grant currently provides a maximum $500,00 grant per project application – clearly an insufficient contribution to improve this very popular multi-use trail in the Capital region. Similarly, many bike network plans and protected lanes designed for city commuting and everyday travel commonly see budgets over $2Million and often $5Million or more. Other project categories in need of dedicated or greater provincial funding could include safe routes to school, tourism-benefiting trails or roads and intersections where vulnerable road users are at high risk.
In any case, most cities and towns in B.C. do not have sufficient financial resources for major active transport investments – certainly not ones that would double walk and bike trips in their community over the next nine years. A much larger cost-share commitment from the province will ensure quality bike lanes, multi-use trails, safer streets and sidewalks are installed much faster – and create more bike-friendly and walkable communities across the province.
Benefits go far beyond GHG reductions
Not only will a shift in transportation budgets and choices help reduce GHG emissions – addressing the dire climate emergency – it would also bring multiple other co-benefits: important gains in equity and affordability for B.C. residents, improved personal and community health, fewer road injuries, less air pollution and traffic congestion.
Wharf St, Victoria B.C.
The new CleanBC RoadMap has laid out some key routes and destinations towards a transformed transportation system in British Columbia. It’s not quite clear how we will get there, or via what specific policy prescriptions and budget allocations. Close scrutiny of ministry budgets will be necessary and the BCCC will continue to engage with provincial leaders and decision-makers.
Nonetheless, CleanBC’s roadmap prompts a vision of communities and neighbourhoods where getting around is cleaner, healthier and more enjoyable. Where local trips to services, schools and shops – and the daily commute – need not be in a car driving alone but can instead be enjoyed on a comfortable and protected bike lane, a safe accessible walk, or a family ride on public transit.
The BC Cycling Coalition will continue to work with the provincial government to deliver smarter, healthier, cleaner and more equitable transportation options in communities across B.C.