Agenda Index City of Vancouver

REPORT TO COUNCIL

BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

December 3, 2001

RECOMMENDATION

1. Province of British Columbia - Cycling Network Program

The Province's Cycling Network Program (CNP) has provided assistance to the City of Vancouver over the last several years in expanding the City's network of bicycle routes. Since the 1995 inception of the CNP, the City's bicycle network has grown from under 60 kilometres to over 120 kilometres, and the CNP has contributed more than $1,000,000 toward a total expenditure of approximately $4,000,000.

The CNP has contributed to the development of the BC Parkway, Burrardview (Portside), Cypress, Lakewood, Midtown, Ridgeway, Seaside, Sunrise and SW Marine bicycle routes. However, the Program is now under review by the new Provincial Government and may not be available to the City for future bicycle pathways and bikeway routes.

The loss of the CNP program would be a significant loss to cycling throughout the province, not only in terms of the loss to communities of cost-sharing funds but also the loss of a clear indication of Provincial encouragement and support for cycling issues. The CNP has been an incentive for communities in B.C. to plan and build cycling facilities. Some communities are creating Cycling Plans and including cycling in their Official Community Plans in direct response to the CNP. For some communities, the loss of cost-sharing funds may mean the loss of all cycling infrastructure projects.

In the case of Vancouver, CNP funds have not only been matched by the City, but have prompted an acceleration of the City's spending on cycling infrastructure. Between 1991 and 1995, the City spent approximately $1,400,000 on cycling projects. However, between 1996 and 1999, the City spent close to $3,000,000 in addition to over $1,000,000 contributed by the CNP. As a result, Vancouver's growing network now comprises over 120 kilometres of bicycle facilities.

Surveys indicate that the provision of cycling infrastructure is the most effective way to encourage more people to choose cycling as a means of transportation. Cycling infrastructure can also provide economic benefits by aiding the high technology and tourism industries. Life-style factors are very important in choosing where to live and work, and good cycling facilities help attract skilled employees. Cycling is a popular tourist activity. People come from all over the world to cycle on the Kettle Valley Railway, Victoria's Galloping Goose
and Vancouver's Seawall. The Cycling Network Program has great potential to continue to improve the health, safety and economic opportunities of British Columbians while providing an environmentally sustainable form of transportation and recreation.

Bicycling facilities and programs have been increasing steadily but there is still much work to be done. In a time of increasing automobile congestion, the City of Vancouver faces many challenges in creating and maintaining a cycle friendly environment. This work will be much slower and harder if the CNP ceases to exist.

The Vancouver Bicycle Advisory Committee discussed this matter at its meeting on November 21, 2001, and it was unanimously agreed to request Vancouver City Council to send a letter to the Provincial Government encouraging it to continue its Cycling Network Program for providing funding to municipalities for the development of bicycle routes.

The Bicycle Advisory Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDS

COMMENTS OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

The Engineering Department endorses the Bicycle Advisory Committee's recommendation.

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager RECOMMENDS that, in light of Council's motion of January 24, 2002, no action be taken on this particular report at this time, but that it be considered simultaneously with the staff report back regarding the full impact of Provincial cuts and implications on the City's budget process.

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