Whereas in rural British Columbia, provincially owned and maintained secondary and tertiary highways often function as the sole transportation corridors, serving motor vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, school travel, mobility-device users, and emergency access; And whereas unlike urban municipalities, rural and electoral area governments typically do not have alternate road networks, sidewalks, or parallel routes through which to provide separate active transportation infrastructure and where no alternate corridors exist, the condition and maintenance standard of the provincial travel lane directly determines the safety and accessibility of all users; And whereas certain maintenance practices, including the use of chip-seal surface treatments on highways without usable shoulders, can create increased risk for vulnerable road users and reduce safe multi-modal access in rural communities and provincial transportation policy commits to safety, accessibility, equity, and increased active transportation participation across British Columbia: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia formally recognize that, in rural and compact communities without alternate transportation corridors, provincially owned highways function as active transportation infrastructure; And be it further resolved that the Province review and, where necessary, adjust rural highway maintenance standards to reflect multi-modal use and ensure safe conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, mobility-device users, and other vulnerable road users and the Province collaborate with rural and regional district governments to develop practical, jurisdictionally appropriate solutions that ensure equitable transportation safety outcomes between urban and rural communities.
