Whereas the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure road design standards prioritize the efficient movement of motor vehicles over the safety of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, transit users, and cyclists; And whereas narrow road rights-of-way and topographic challenges in rural areas often make it impossible for active transportation infrastructure to be built to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructures Active Transportation Design Guide of separated paths along road corridors; And whereas the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will not approve, fund, or maintain any road improvements that dont meet their Active Transportation Design Guide: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province to instruct the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to prioritize the safety of vulnerable road users in their road design standards; And be it further resolved that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure recognize the practical challenges of active transportation in rural areas and approve, fund and maintain minor road improvements that increase safety for vulnerable road users, such as paved shoulders and crosswalks.
Ministry of Transportation and Transit The Ministry of Transportation and Transit shares UBCMs commitment to improving safety for vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The ministry recognizes that rural areas present unique challenges, including narrow rights-of-way, limited population densities, and difficult topography, which can make it harder to apply standard active transportation designs. In June 2024, Bill 23 came into force that identified Vulnerable Road Users under the BC Motor Vehicle Act to include pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooters, e-kick scooters, electric wheelchairs and more. This legislation further protects these users by requiring a minimum safe passing distance of 1 metre on roads of 50k kmh or less and a distance of 1.5 metres on highways that have speeds of more than 50 kmh. The ministry provides funding for Indigenous and local governments through the BC Active Transportation Grants Program that is intended to support smaller communities. Applicant projects must have used the BC Active Transportation Design Guide or similar, best practices for safe infrastructure design through other guidelines such as the Transportation Association of Canada or the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials. The Ministrys Active Transportation Design Guide is intended to be adaptable and context-sensitive, offering a range of options that can be tailored to different environments. While fully separated paths may not always be practical in rural settings, the ministry continues to implement safety-focused improvements such as shoulder widening and enhanced crossings where feasible. In 202425, the ministry has improved approximately 154 kilometres of shoulder to support safer travel for all road users. In addition, since 2017, The B.C. Active Transportation Grants Program has provided 127.5 in cost-shared funding to approximately 198 communities. The ministry is currently updating its Pedestrian Crossing Control Guide to reflect new research, improve consistency in decision-making, and better support crossing safety across the province. As part of this work, the ministry is also exploring new technologies and treatments that may be better suited to rural and low-volume contexts, including solar-powered beacons and visibility enhancements.