British Columbia Cyclists call for budget surplus to go to active travel safety

A new petition by the British Columbia Cycling Coalition is calling on Finance Minister Mike de Jong to allocate a budget surplus to building in safety for cyclists and walkers.

With a reported $730 million left in the pot at the end of the fiscal year and the BC economy growing at three times the rate of the national average, the Cycling group has now asked for $1 billion in funding over the next ten years.

With the funding, the petition calls for safe routes to school for children, investment in trails and routes with a view to boosting regional tourism, an upgrade of cycle lanes on provincial roads and bridges, as well as a complete walking and cycling network linking communities.

The province has made some initial progress in improving cycling links, investing around $2.7 million in seven Vancouver Island communities.

Further to the cash investment, the Coalition would also be encouraged to see promotion of active travel, as well as electric bike use, something which would require the elimination of PST charges. These levies allow clean energy vehicles to gain rebates of up to $5,000, though somehow e-bikes are excluded in the local by-law.

You can lend your support here.