Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition
Letter to Mayor and Council
Dear Mayor McKay and City Councillors,
Last September when you took part in the Veloworks Conference in Vancouver, we spoke at length about transportation and the need for a change in Nanaimo with the Nanaimo Transportation Master Plan that was adopted a few months earlier in hand. Since then it has been very, very quiet on the vision and plans for transportation in Nanaimo except on the transportation of water over, under or through the dams. Also very important.
Around the time of the municipal elections, the BC government announced its ideas on transportation with the B.C. Master Transportation plan and we were so lucky to be allowed to comment on the plan and make suggestions. On that front we, the Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition and the BC Cycling Coalition, have some good news to report!
B.C. on the Move, the Province’s new 10-year transportation plan marked a significant opportunity to improve cycling in B.C. Thanks to all of our members and supporters who completed the survey and who provided us with suggestions, we achieved a lot. It made a real difference as 72% of road users who filled out the survey, supports enhancing cycling infrastructure!
As a result, the plan includes:
- $18 million over 3 years in Bike BC funding for communities (an increase of 50%)
- the widening of shoulders and safety improvements on provincial highways in areas with high volumes of cyclists
- a doubling of the frequency of sweeping on main cycling corridors
- a Cycling Tourism Signage and Marketing Strategy to promote B.C.’s beautiful cycling routes
Since B.C. on the Move was announced in April, the Province has also committed:
- $7 million for Stanley Park Causeway cycling and pedestrian improvements
- $7.2 million for the Okanagan Rail Trail (E&N rail trail should be next)
- $0.25 million for improvements including shoulders along Wembley Rd in Parksville (Joe Stanhope will be over the moon)
This funding is in addition to the $18 million for Bike BC.
Still, while this is a great start, much more is needed.
B.C. on the Move includes $2.5 billion over three years for transportation. With many highway upgrades included in the $2.5 billion, there is the opportunity for cycling and pedestrian improvements to be included in these projects. The BC Cycling Coalition and the GNCC will be working with our member groups and Provincial officials to ensure that high quality cycling facilities are an integral part of all road and bridge projects.
As many existing roads and bridges have low quality or non-existing cycling facilities, as part of B.C. on the Move, we are also recommending that they plan, prioritize and implement cycling improvements on all their roads and bridges.
We estimate that around $1.8 billion is needed to complete cycling networks in communities around B.C. To ensure these networks are completed over the next decade, the BC Cycling Coalition is recommending that the Province invest $100 millionper year to:
- Upgrade cycling and walking facilities on Provincial highways and bridges
- Complete cycling and walking networks in communities around BC.
- Create Safe Routes to School for B.C. children
- Build trails and paths used by cycling and walking tourists and residents
With an election coming up in 2017, we need to build upon this success over the next year to encourage Provincial politicians to commit more funding for cycling improvements and education.
We will be working hard to build support for better cycling over the next few months by engaging and working with government, other organizations, businesses and individuals.
Your support to the extension of the E&N rail trail, the implementation of the Nanaimo Master Transportation Plan is not only crucial but essential for the prosperity of our community. Your community wants to see true leadership and it is up to this Council to ensure that every infrastructure project is built according to the adopted principal of building Complete Streets. Streets for all people regardless of age or ability.
Thank You
Leo Boon
Chair Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition
Director British Columbia Cycling Coalition
http://www.bikesense.org
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