WHEREAS the Province has made clear its goals and commitments to increase the health and activity of British Columbians and demonstrated through the Local Motion program that it is prepared to assist communities to become vibrant and integrated places where people can choose to walk or bike to work; AND WHEREAS cycling for recreation, competition, and transit are increasingly important for the existing and future economic, social, and environmental futures of rural communities, with the Province responsible for the paving and upgrading of highways between communities, most of which do not have paved shoulders wide enough to accommodate walkers or cyclists: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of British Columbia Municipalities appeal to the provincial government to instate protocols requiring that, wherever possible, signicant numbered highway improvements include the establishment of a sufciently wide paved shoulder or other infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and scooters.
Ministry of Transportation The goal of the Ministry of Transportations Ministry cycling policy is to integrate bicycling by providing safe, accessible and convenient bicycle facilities on the Province of British Columbias highways and to support and encourage cycling. The Cycling Policy states that provisions will be made for cyclists on all new and upgraded provincial highways. The Ministrys policy is also to increase highway shoulder width during construction or paving projects, whenever feasible, and then provide ongoing maintenance. Examples of the Ministrys commitment to improving cycling on provincial highways include: -Highway 1015 Border Infrastructure Fund substandard shoulders widened to full width. -Highway 6 resurfacing near Vernon, included extra shoulder width, which was praised by the Greater Vernon Cycling Advisory Committee. -Highway 17 Pat Bay Highway when this section of highway received a pavement overlay the ministry also did the extra work to ensure the shoulders were widened. -Gateway Program, the Ministry has committed 50 million in cycling infrastructure as part of the specific projects Highway 1Port Mann Bridge, South and North Fraser Perimeter Roads and an additional 10 million to be cost-shared with local government for projects that will improve the overall effectiveness of the regional cycling network. Through Local Motion the Province is providing 40 million over 4 years to local governments for the construction of active infrastructure. These funds can be applied to projects that improve physical fitness, improve safety, reduce air pollutants, and meet the diverse needs of seniors, young families and all British Columbians. The Ministrys Cycling Infrastructure Partnership Programs also provide up to 2 million per year in cost shared funding to local governments to encourage them to build commuter cycling improvements. If a municipality or regional district wishes to partner with the Province to improve the cycling infrastructure on a provincial highway, by widening the shoulders or building a separated path, they can apply for funding under these programs.