The Province is investing more than $1 million toward 17 cycling infrastructure projects across British Columbia to encourage and support healthy living for families and communities.

BikeBC Cycling Infrastructure Partnerships Program funding supports ongoing work to create bike lanes, separated bike paths and multi-use trails.

Funding of up to $100,000 was made available to individual municipalities for a wide range of projects, such as bike lanes, separated bike paths and multi-use trails. As part of the selection criteria, applicants were required to describe how a project contributes to increased physical activity as part of their municipality's active community plan.

Cycling is a key component of the Province's strategy for encouraging healthy living and addressing climate change, in conjunction with the Climate Action Plan and the Provincial Transit Plan.

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the Province has committed over $143 million in cycling infrastructure, creating new bicycle lanes and trails in over 75 communities.
• This commitment includes $50 million in cycling infrastructure as part of the Gateway Program - the largest cycling investment in B.C.'s history.
• Cycling 10 kilometres to and from work every day would reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by 15,000 kg a year.
• Cycling eight kilometres is equal to 30 minutes of moderate exercise.

Learn More:

Local governments may apply to BikeBC through the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure's BikeBC - Cycling Infrastructure Partnerships Program at: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/BikeBC/CIPP.html or contact the ministry by email at: MoTcycling@gov.bc.ca

Find more information on cycling in BC: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/BikeBC

Find more information on Bike Safety: http://bikesafety.caa.ca/index.php

For tips and more ideas on how to get healthy, visit the Healthy Families BC website at: www.HealthyFamiliesBC.ca

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Jeff Knight
Government Communications and Public Engagement (GCPE)
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-7707

BACKGROUNDER

Province funds community cycling infrastructure

The Province has approved 16 BikeBC projects that will share $1 million. Including this round of grants, the program has now funded cycling infrastructure projects in more than 75 communities across B.C. Since 2001, the Province has committed over $143 million for cycling infrastructure. The approved projects include:

Community - Project Title - Approved Grant Amount

Chilliwack - Knight Road Bicycle Lanes: $20,335

Fort St. John - 94th Avenue Trail: $100,000

Kamloops - Hugh Allan Drive/Rogers Way Bike Route: $9,618

Kelowna - Glenmore Bypass Multi-Use Pathway: $100,000

Ladysmith - Bayview Avenue Connector: $39,780

Maple Ridge - 122 Avenue Cycling Improvements: $100,000

The District of North Vancouver - West 1st Street Bike Lane: $13,710

Port Coquitlam - Patricia Avenue Traboulay Poco Trail Separated Cycle Path: $76,462

Prince George - Tyner Boulevard Trail: $100,000

Richmond - Minoru Boulevard Bike Route: $47,500

Richmond - Garden City Road/Granville Avenue Intersection Improvements: $ 48,850

Rossland - Trail Creek Trail: $25,000

Saanich - Douglas Connector Bike Route: $100,000

Surrey - Fleetwood Greenway: $100,000

Terrace - Lanfear Drive Connector: $25,600

Tofino - Tofino Multi-Use Path: $76,562

Vernon - Okanagan Landing Bike Lanes: $26,962

Contact:

Jeff Knight
Government Communications and Public Engagement (GCPE)
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-7707