The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is increasing BikeBC funding for cycling infrastructure projects to $8 million for the 2017-18 fiscal year and will be opening the application intake this fall, announced Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone at the UBCM conference today.

“I know that incorporating more cycling infrastructure in their community plans is a priority for many local governments,” said Stone. “This is also a key priority for our government and this additional investment of $2 million will go a long way to make taking your bike to work and to school more attractive, and making municipal streets safer for cyclists.”

As well, to better align with municipalities’ planning and budget processes, the ministry will be opening the intake for applications for next year’s BikeBC program in mid-October, rather than the traditional winter intake in February. This earlier intake will also be applied to the B.C. Air Access Program, which provides funding for airport infrastructure projects.

“The earlier intake for applications will also mean we will be able to award the funding before the summer months to allow municipalities to move ahead with construction of these projects as soon as possible,” added Stone.

The ministry had previously committed $18 million over three years for the BikeBC program as part of the B.C. on the Move 10 year transportation plan. The ministry is investing $24 million over three years for the B.C. Air Access Program, with $10 million committed for the 2017-18 fiscal year.

The call for applications for both programs will be announced in the coming weeks. Going forward, the ministry will implement the earlier intake dates annually.

Through the B.C. on the Move 10 year transportation plan, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will invest almost $2.7 billion over the next three years to improve British Columbia’s transportation network.