The Province of BC has opened up public consultation on active transportation, an opportunity for all British Columbians to participate in the policy-making process related to walking, wheelchair use, cycling, and other emerging forms of human transport. Public feedback will be open until April 15. 

The BC Cycling Coalition has been asking the provincial government to develop an active transportation strategy with significant investment in cycling, walking and rolling for many years.

“By investing in strong, sustainable communities, I believe we can build a better B.C. for ourselves, our kids and our grandchildren,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure in a public statement. “As part of CleanBC, we want to work in partnership with communities to improve active transportation infrastructure that connects the places where people live, work, learn and play. Transforming how we get around not only helps to reduce pollution, it can lead to healthier outcomes for people and make our communities cleaner and more livable.”

Many countries around the world have made robust, annual per capita investments in active transportation—the Netherlands spends $48 per person per year on active transportation programs; Denmark invests $34 per person, and New Zealand recently announced an investment of $24 per person on infrastructure, education, promotion and safety. In BC and many other provinces across Canada, per capita spending lags , sometimes at one-tenth the level of spending as these leading jurisdictions. Trevena is encouraging British Columbians to suggest ways for different levels of government to work together to build new active transportation infrastructure and better support existing network connections.

Working together, we can make communities more livable with investments in cleaner transportation options that are convenient and affordable. Join the conversation and help inform the CleanBC strategy — make your submission here, or email activetransportation@gov.bc.ca.