As part of B.C. on the Move, the Government of B.C.’s new 10-year transportation plan, five communities on Vancouver Island will receive almost $1.4 million in BikeBC funding this year to expand and build cycling lanes, trails and paths for cyclists and pedestrians.

“By increasing our funding for the BikeBC program by 50% this year, more communities in B.C. have been able to enhance their cycling infrastructure, benefitting both residents and visitors,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “The scope and variety of these projects on Vancouver Island are impressive and once completed, will increase cycling opportunities for people up and down the Island.”

The five southern Vancouver Island projects and BikeBC funding amounts are:

• Cowichan Valley Regional District: Cowichan Valley Trail, 3.8 kilometres separated bike path from Sooke Lake Road Trailhead to Stebbins Rd. - $440,000
• Langford: Atkins Avenue Bicycle Trail Connector - three metres wide, 320 metres-long shared roadway from 372 Atkins Ave. to 301 Atkins Ave. - $321,350
• Port Alberni: Rogers Creek Ravine Trails - three metres wide, one kilometre-long multi-use path from Tebor/Cherry Creek Ave. to Vimy St. - $70,000
• Saanich: Borden St. Bike Lanes - four metres wide, 0.3 kilometre-long separated bike path from McKenzie Ave. to the Lochside Trail - $140,000
• Victoria: Heron Cove and Raymur Point Bridges - Two four-metre-wide cyclist/pedestrian bridges to connect existing pathways from Ogden Point to downtown. Total length: 100 metres - $440,000

BikeBC is the Province’s cost-sharing program that helps local governments build cycling projects that attract and support commuter, recreational and tourism cyclists and pedestrians. B.C. on the Move has committed $18 million over the next three years to the BikeBC program. This year’s investment of $6 million will generate more than $12 million in cycling infrastructure across the province.

Since 2001, the B.C. government has committed almost $160 million for cycling infrastructure, creating new bicycle lanes and trails in over 100 communities throughout the province.

Cycling contributes to increased physical activity and helps reduce greenhouse gases. This year’s projects cover a range of work, including bike lanes, multi-use trails and improvements to roads and highways to allow better shared use for cyclists.

B.C. on the Move is government’s new 10-year plan for the improvement of the province’s transportation network. Over the next three years, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will invest almost $2.5 billion to improve British Columbia’s transportation network.

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For more information about Bike BC, visit: www.th.gov.bc.ca/BikeBC