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Open Letter from President of the BC Cycling Coalition – Please Help to Get Better Cycling Infrastructure!

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Avatarwp-user-avatar wp-user-avatar-96 photoThere has never been a better time to ask for better, safer infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians in British Columbia. Here’s an open letter from President of the BC Cycling Coalition, Richard Campbell, with a few of my photos thrown in. Read Richard’s letter to see how easy it is to do your bit. All you have to do is click through and sign the petitions. And maybe send a few emails as well!

“Hi everyone

The BC Cycling Coalition wants everyone in the Province to be able to cycle for their daily trips while eliminating fatalities and injuries. You can find more details on what we are proposing here.

Get more information and sign the petition here.

Great cycling infrastructure doesn't just magically happen - it needs funding, and adequate funding will only come if we keep on demanding safe infrastructure
Great cycling infrastructure doesn’t just magically happen – it needs funding, and adequate funding will only come if we keep on demanding safe infrastructure. In the last couple of years, the Adanac bike route on Union Street in Vancouver has been vastly improved, and is now a pleasure, not a hazardous ordeal.

No Increase in Provincial Cycling Funding Yet – $4 Billion Available

There doesn’t appear to be an increase in cycling funding in the 2016 Provincial Budget released on February 16. As well, on February 12, Minister Stone announced that Bike BC funding will remain at $6 million per year in 2016. However, there could be around $4 billion available to spend in the lead up to the 2017 election. More than enough to invest $1 billion over ten years in cycling and walking.

Please write to Premier Clark asking for more cycling funding.

Here is the intersection of Vancouver's two (fairly new) separated bike lanes, Hornby and Dunsmuir. The increase in cyclists in downtown Vancouver has been exponential since these were installed. Before these separated bikes lanes were installed, I once stood on Dunsmuir trying to get a photo of a cyclist negotiating the traffic. I had to wait for then minutes before one showed up. Now, there is a constant stream, and even sometimes children. We need this everywhere.
Here is the intersection of Vancouver’s two (fairly new) separated bike lanes, on Hornby and Dunsmuir Streets. The increase in cyclists in downtown Vancouver has been exponential since these were installed.
Hornby Street in Vancouver before it had a separate bike route and after. I had to wait for ten minutes for a cyclist to show up before I took the photo on the left. Now, there is a constant stream, and even sometimes children. We need this everywhere.
Hornby Street in Vancouver before it had a separate bike route and after. I had to wait for ten minutes for a cyclist to show up before I could take the photo on the left. Now, there is a constant stream of cyclists, and even sometimes children on bikes. We need this everywhere.

Federal Funding for Cycling – Write the Minister

The Government of Canada is planning to invest an additional $60 billion over the next ten years on transit, green infrastructure and social infrastructure. This is a great opportunity to improve cycling across the country. We are working with Canada Bikes to encourage the government to implement a National Cycling Strategy including better design standards that include separated bike lanes and protected intersections as well has increased funding for cycling.

Please let the Federal Government know that you want Federal funding to help complete cycling networks in your community. Share what greatly improved cycling would mean for your family and community. Email the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport mintc@tc.gc.ca and cc:

mintc@tc.gc.ca, pm@pm.gc.ca, Amarjeet.Sohi@parl.gc.ca, Catherine.McKenna@parl.gc.ca, Jane.Philpott@parl.gc.ca, Bill.Morneau@parl.gc.ca, fin.2016pbc-cpb2016.fin@canada.ca, info@canadabikes.org, president@bccc.bc.ca

Find your MP’s email address here.

The separated bike lane on Dunsmuir Street enables thousands of people to cycle across Vancouver every day. We need these kinds of bike lanes everywhere, so that people of all ages and abilities can cycle wherever they need to go
The separated bike lane on Dunsmuir Street enables thousands of people to cycle across Vancouver every day, in relative safety. We need these kinds of bike lanes everywhere, so that people of all ages and abilities can cycle wherever they need to go.

Cycling for Everyone – Billion for Bikes petition

We are under 40 away from 2,500 signatures! Over 2,460 people from over 100 communities have signed our Cycling for Everyone – Billion for Bikes petition. Thanks to all of you who have signed it, spread the word and show support for much better cycling and walking.

Our Supporters

A big thanks to all our business supporters including the newest, OHM Cycles. They are a BC company that makes great electric bikes.

The inspiring and funny Marinoni Movie is now available for on-line rental. Thanks to them for their generous contributions.

If you are involved in a business, please consider becoming a supporter as well.

The approach to the Viaduct at the bottom of the Hornby St bike lane epitomizes good transportation infrastructure. On the left, an entrance to a skytrain station, then a nice wide pedestrian crossing, then a wide, mostly separated bike lane, then four lanes for the (decreasing) motor trafic. There is a plan to demolish the viaduct. I don't know why they don't follow New York's example, where they have turned a railway line into the High Line - an elevated walk and cycle way, with abundant vegetation. A lovely spot.
The approach to the Georgia Viaduct at the bottom of the Hornby St. bike lane epitomizes good transportation infrastructure. On the left, an entrance to a skytrain station, then a nice wide pedestrian crossing, then a wide, mostly separated bike lane, then four lanes for the motor traffic. There is a plan to demolish the viaduct. I don’t know why they don’t follow New York’s example, where they have turned a disused, elevated railway line into the High Line – an elevated walk and cycle way, with abundant vegetation. It provides a lovely slice of peace and quiet in a busy city. The viaduct has beautiful views, and would be a wonderful place to walk, cycle, and relax – if the cars were removed from the equation.

The BC Cycling Coalition’s ability to push for safer cycling for everyone is powered by your contributions. Reaching out to people, organizations, governments and businesses across this big province building support needed for a Billion for Bikes is a lot of work that requires your generous contribution of $3, $5, or $10 per month or one-time donation. A sincere thank you to those who have already donated!

Best Regards

Richard Campbell

President, BC Cycling Coalition”

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