A few months ago I made comment here about a sign that I had spotted in my neighbourhood. The sign, produced by the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) read Better Transit, Not Freeways and its intent (presumably) was to draw attention to the concerns of a few citizens over the provinces Gateway program. Gateway, of course is a project set up by the BC government to address much needed transportation infrastructure upgrades throughout British Columbia.
Better Transit signs can be found scattered throughout neighbourhoods across the GVRD but I would wager that no community hosts as many as that of the Commercial and Victoria Drive areas of East Vancouver. The signs, while very simple in nature draw the reader towards the SPEC web site at http://www.spec.bc.ca/ where it is the hopes of the organization that concerned citizens will sign the on-line petition to encourage the government to invest our money in... Better Transit, not freeways!
To say that SPEC and similar organizations like it are against Gateway is probably a bit of an understatement. Nonetheless and despite the narrow focus I would say that their position is fair, after all in a society like ours its important that citizens take part in any debate over how our tax dollars are spent. The trouble is in this case I don't believe that many of those in opposition to Gateway are actually looking at the project as a whole. Many critics seem stuck on the notion that Gateway is about twinning a bridge and widening a freeway, a view that limits their ability to see the forest through the trees (sorry).
Case in point. On Friday July 6 I (along with 2 fellow members of the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition) had the opportunity to be on hand as BC Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon and Minister of State for ActNow BC Gordon Hogg announced $ 1.7 million for cycling infrastructure in communities throughout the province. Or, for the benefit of anyone from SPEC that might be reading, for "Better Transit!" This $1.7 million is a part of the almost $100 million (more money for cycling in BC than ever spent before) spent or pledged on cycling by the BC Liberals and it will be distributed through the Cycling Infrastructure Partnerships Program (CIPP) which is a province wide cost share initiative between the provincial government and local governments.
CIPP funding is intended to allow for the development of critical cycling infrastructure like separate bicycle paths, shoulder bike ways, bike lanes and shared roadways. All of these are important elements to encourage more and more people to take up cycling as a viable transportation alternative or to simply get out and enjoy the health benefits of cycling in the safest manner possible. During the announcement just over a week ago Minister Falcon showed his passion for cycling by committing to bicycle lanes on every new piece of road built by the province. He also stated that new cycling funding, among other things will "...give commuters a chance to get out of their vehicles and get on their bikes, it will also help ease congestion, cut down on emissions, and improve the air quality."
For those from SPEC that may still be reading, once again read more money for Better Transit... not just freeways!
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3 comments:
Well, while I do generally agree more with the motto of "Better transit, not *just* freeways", I thought I'd point out a fwe of my frustrations.
First of all, cycling infrastucture isn't transit. It's cycling. Just like sidewalks are pedestrian movement. I suppose you could label cycling as transportation, but almost any form of movement is transportation.
Why can't the government put more into cycling or transit is the real question. They can spend billions of dollars, but can only put a measly 2 million into cycling? And we still haven't seen any provincial commitment to transit: no funding for the Evergreen Line, and the Translink shuffle which is simply designed to put the cost of transit expansion onto the GVTA and off the province. You think with their recent 4 billion dollar surplus, they could put at least something into transit or forms of transport outside of highways.
As for bike lanes everywhere... I am very very doubtful. Bike lanes down the roads only work when cars are going 30km or slower, such as in downtown Vancouver. Otherwise you'll never attract very many people to cycling, not to mention the other infrastructure still required such as locking stations, and change areas. The other option is separated bike lanes or multi-use pathways.
The problem with the promise of building shared bike lanes in all new highways is that it is simply a cop out. It is not a promise to improve cycling, it's the government saying "well we funded it and if you arent using it that's your problem". As I said before, if you are going to be providing cycling routes down highways, they have to be far enough away from the cars, in addition to facilities along the way. Shared bike lanes, like the ones built into the new Fraser Highway, are, frankly, scary and unlikely to ever be used. Furthermore, the stupid bike lanes down Fraser are so thin that are normal driver could just whack somebody down by accident.
I can understand your frustration Paul and admit that I am only a recent convert to cycling as a form of transportation.
It can be quite scary biking in todays conditions however, I like to believe that any amount of money spent on cycling is a step in the right direction. The truth is that the government has spent much more than $2 million on cycling infrastructure and while that does pale compared to the billions spent elsewhere, I like to think that its a good start.
While I grew up in Langley, I haven't seen the changes to the Fraser Hwy so can't comment. But do have some frustrations of my own with my commute from East to North Vancouver.
I guess that my point is simply that change has to start somewhere and I personally believe that we are moving in the right direction. Is there more work to do? Of course.
Well said Ray.
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