More than $5 million of funding approved for cycling infrastructure on Vancouver Island

(Photo courtesy Times Colonist.)

The province says more bike lanes and paths are coming to Vancouver Island with grants approved for nine cycling infrastructure projects through the BikeBC program.

The transportation ministry says Vancouver Island is approved for BikeBC funding totalling $5,292,167 for 2019-20 projects:

• The City of Courtenay is approved to receive $151,988 for a bike lane that will connect the Riverway Trail to Fifth Street.
• The City of Courtenay is also approved to receive $75,668 for new dedicated cycling lanes that will connect the downtown core to existing cycling facilitates between the Riverway Trail, Fifth Street and the Driftwood Mall.
• The City of Langford is approved to receive $686,988 for a separated, multi-use paved path connecting the Goldstream Meadows and Westhills neighbourhoods to downtown Langford.
• The District of North Saanich is approved to receive $726,018 for new shoulder bikeways that will provide direct and safer access to the Ardmore area.
• The District of Saanich is approved to receive $1,000,000 for buffered bike lanes between McKenzie Avenue and Torquay Drive.
• The District of Sooke is approved to receive $145,665 for a separated, multi-use path connecting the Sooke Town Centre with Sun River Estates.
• The District of Tofino is approved to receive $1,000,000 for a separated, multi-use path from the Tofino Information Centre to the northern boundary of the Pacific Rim National Park.
• Victoria (Capital Regional District) is approved to receive $1,000,000 for a one-kilometre, multi-use trail connecting Victoria and Langford.
• The Town of Qualicum Beach is approved to receive $505,841 for safety improvements on the town’s east-west multi-use path that is largely used by children as a route to and from school.

“Cycling is great for your health, your wallet and the environment,”transportation minister Claire Trevana said in a statement.

“It’s an excellent way to stay connected to your community. Our government will continue to work with regional, local and Indigenous governments to build safe infrastructure that supports active transportation.”

The province says the BikeBC grants provide financial support to communities for new cycling infrastructure or make improvements to existing bike paths and lanes.

Grants are provided up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs and 75 per cent for communities with a population under 15,000.

The BikeBC projects for Vancouver Island are among 28 province-wide.

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