Why CleanBC needs more Active Transportation

Now more than ever, it’s obvious that carbon emissions need be reduced urgently, especially in transportation. This week’s IPCC ‘code red’ report further amplifies the need to make transformative change immediately. 

Yet transport emissions in B.C. continue to grow year over year. The majority of sector emissions derive from road transport - particularly personal transport from light duty motor vehicles. The overall vehicle fleet continues to grow. Over-all automobile trips and total kilometres traveled are shaped by many factors, including the province’s road and highway system, and the existing legislative and regulatory transportation regime. 

British Columbia has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent (relative to 2007) by 2030, and 80 per cent by 2050. The transportation sector represents about 40 per cent of British Columbia’s GHG emissions - 45 percent in Metro Vancouver. 

The challenge is daunting - but it must be tackled.

This fall the B.C. Government will release a revised Climate Strategy to address GHG emission reductions and climate policy under the CleanBC banner. The British Columbia Cycling Coalition (BCCC) was asked to provide input and analysis on how active transportation can play a greater role in reducing GHGs, while also providing supportive and complementary benefits to British Columbians in the decades ahead. 

This blog post highlights the themes of our letter to CleanBC, including:

• The role of active transportation (AT) within broader transport-sector GHG reduction strategies and how wider adoption of active transportation can contribute to transportation mode shift and reductions in Vehicle Kilometres Travelled (VKTs). 

• A summary of six recommendations to advance AT investments, policies and regulations in B.C.

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Building on Opportunity
Transitioning to a climate-friendly transportation system is both necessary and feasible. The opportunities are right in front of us. The transportation sector is rapidly evolving, rich with technological innovations and new mobility choices, particularly in urban areas. Bicycle use for transport in Canadian cities is growing rapidly. New transport options such as ride-share, car-share, and micro-mobility are proliferating. Transit systems have benefited from major new investments and growing ridership and, more recently, the purchase of electrified buses. Related advances in walkable neighbourhoods, better urban design and pedestrian safety are top of mind for urban planners and many city residents.

Happily, Canada and B.C. are in a strong position to seize the momentum towards active transportation. In Canada, commuting by bicycle is the fastest growing mode of travel. B.C. communities are leaders in that shift. Vancouver and Victoria already rank among the top large- and mid-size cities in North America for bicycle mode share.  Well-designed quality bicycle infrastructure delivers dramatic results: 40% growth in bike ridership in Vancouver within three years. 

Several new protected bike lanes in downtown Victoria provide safer, well-connected travel options for residents and visitors.

Virtually every major city in Canada has now installed at least one protected bike lane; many are planning and building connected bike networks, largely separated from moving car traffic. Successful investments in AT could be easily replicated – and further advanced - in communities across B.C.  Many have already started, but B.C. Government must step up and support those communities with funding, supportive policies and legislation. 

More and Better Mobility Options
Over 80% of BC residents live in our cities, suburbs and towns - typical North American urban areas where more than 50% of car trips are under five kilometres. It’s those short trips to shops, services and schools that are most easily replaced by people biking and walking (or even rolling). But that will only happen if B.C. communities are able to make significant investments in safe, convenient and accessible routes for active transportation.

Newer and increasingly popular mobility options such as electric bikes are extending the distance and types of travel for BC residents. Innovations in cargo and carrying bikes designed for families, children and groceries, as well as bike delivery services for retail, food and freight, are opening up further horizons for active transportation in our communities. In many cases, B.C. residents are choosing to purchase an electric or cargo bike as a substitute for a new vehicle or second car. 

The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated how quickly travel behaviour can change and adapt. The pandemic sparked significant changes where and how people work, and is expected to have long-term impacts on commuter patterns. More localized travel patterns are likely to stick: shorter trips and more frequent patronage of neighbourhood destinations will be better served by walking, cycling or newer micro-mobility options. 

British Columbia must now make bold moves to shift away from automobile-dependency and transition to a truly multi-modal transportation system province-wide. To start, the B.C. government needs to commit to much greater active transportation investments across B.C., reform the long outdated Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), and pursue policies and legislation to help create a safer and more sustainable transportation system. 

The Path Forward
The benefits are many. Active transportation brings affordability and equity to historically auto-dependent communities. Protected bike lanes, better crosswalks, more sidewalks and trails help improve safety for British Columbians. Accessible and more affordable mobility options will improve livability, prosperity, community health and equity for all residents. Providing greater transportation choices in all B.C. communities is critical to achieving a low-carbon future. Every shift away from motor vehicle use brings immediate reductions in GHGs. 

The following points summarize our six recommendations for the BC Government’s fall update of its Clean BC Climate Strategy. 
(Our full letter to Environment Minister George Heyman, Transport Minister Rob Fleming and Clean BC staff is here). 

1. Contribute at least $50Million annually to the Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant program for local governments and Indigenous communities, and further expand the mandate to include a broader base of qualifying projects.  

 2.  Increase the maximum project funding to $1Million/year with special consideration and up to $3Million for regionally significant AT projects or where new AT networks are well integrated with public transit.   

3.  Reform the MVA. In the immediate term, establish Safe Passing Distance legislation for road users in B.C. – to regulate minimum passing distance between cars and pedestrians, bicycles, E-bikes, or scooters. In the longer term, begin a cross-ministerial effort to review and reform the MVA to reflect and support the changing transportation system in B.C.  

4.  Support legislation and pursue policy changes to foster and encourage smart growth and land use practices that promote healthy compact communities and increased use of active transportation. 

5. MOTI should undertake an immediate engineering-standards review of its Ministry-controlled highway facilities where they serve as ‘main-streets’ or key corridors in local city or district jurisdictions.

6. MOTI should establish explicit guidelines for accommodation of active transportation on all of its public corridors, with an eye to improving current conditions and applying appropriate standards.