Whereas BC local governments face significant capital funding challenges in delivering new active transportation infrastructure, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide lowercost transportation options to BC residents, bring economic and health benefits to BC communities, and increase resilience of transportation networks, as demonstrated by similar investments in other jurisdictions; And whereas the Government of BC has invested over 40 million since 2014 to fund new active transportation infrastructure, has committed an additional 30 million to fund active transportation infrastructure in Budget 2022, and has introduced rebates to support BC residents in choosing ebikes which were quickly oversubscribed, demonstrating that there is significant latent demand by residents across BC for active transportation options, and Transport 2050: 10Year Priorities for TransLink calls for 1.5 billion over the next ten years for capital investments for active transportation infrastructure in the Metro Vancouver region: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Government of BC to expand funding for active transportation infrastructure to at least 300 million annually over the next ten years to support the development of protected, connected, and accessible local cycling and walking infrastructure networks across BC, that are integrated into larger regional active transportation and public transit networks.
Ministry of Transportation and Transit The Ministry of Transportation and Transit understands the importance of working with local governments to advance active transportation across the province. The ministry is making record investments in active transportation projects in communities and infrastructure. This includes approximately 500 million in projects like the Surrey-Langley Skytrain, the Patullo Bridge Replacement and the Fraser River Tunnel Replacement project. It also includes 20 million per year in funding to support Indigenous and local government developing active transportation in their communities as well as 135 million for active transportation facilities on ministry rights-of-way. Funding details include: - The BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program continues to provide cost sharing grants to Indigenous and local governments to plan and build high-quality active transportation facilities, with 60 million allocated over three years. This 60 million of active transportation grants is matched with First Nations and local government raised funding to deliver an estimated 270 million towards active transportation infrastructure over three years. - The ministrys Active Transportation Capital Program supports improved connections between active transportation networks on ministry rights-of-way. Facilities will improve capacity and convenience to increase walking and cycling to help meet CleanBC targets. The budget for this program is now 135 million over three years. This is in addition to the 31 million invested in active transportation elements in Highway and Regional Services projects in 202324. - The ministry has 377 million in planned investments in active transportation as part of major infrastructure projects, such as the Surrey Langley Skytrain, Patullo Bridge, and Fraser River Tunnel projects. The Ministry of Transportation and Transit is also creating tools to work more closely with communities to include active transportation in major infrastructure projects and highway upgrades. These tools include the Integrated Planning Guide, Transit Oriented Development, and regional plans.