HUB Cycling Calls for Provincial Action on Active Transportation Ahead of 2024 Elections

Ahead of the 2024 provincial election, HUB Cycling is calling on all political candidates to provide clear, measurable commitments on how they will address three critical Focus Areas to make active transportation safer and more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. HUB Cycling’s 2024 Provincial Elections Focus Areas identify practical actions and policies to ensure that we prioritize investments in active transportation infrastructure in our communities, enhance road safety, and promote social equity.

Candidates have been asked to complete a HUB Cycling survey and share their positions on these key Focus Areas in order to help voters make informed decisions. Survey results will be published on bikehub.ca/vote, allowing the public to see which candidates are committed to supporting healthier, safer, and more connected communities through active transportation.

“We want to ensure that voters know which candidates and parties are committed to making British Columbia a leader in active transportation,” said Cathy Acuna, Community Manager of HUB Cycling. “Publishing the survey results will help people choose candidates who prioritize healthier, safer, equitable and more connected communities.”

HUB Cycling also encourages all eligible British Columbians to ensure they are registered to vote by visiting elections.bc.ca.

2024 Provincial Elections Focus Areas 

Focus Area 1: Continued Reform of the Motor Vehicle Act

In spring 2023, the BC Government made some much needed improvements to the Motor Vehicle Act, including adding a vulnerable road user definition, a safe passing distance, and stronger penalties for unsafe behaviour around vulnerable road users. Bill 23 is a first step to reforming the outdated Motor Vehicle Act. However, there is still much more work to be done. HUB Cycling will be publishing a new list of recommendations for improving the Motor Vehicle Act to the Provincial Government in early 2025. 

Q: Will you continue to reform the BC Motor Vehicle Act within the next two years?

Focus Area 2: Equitable Funding for Active Transportation that helps deliver Clean BC goals.

HUB Cycling is encouraging equitable access to active transportation that supports CleanBC goals. Active transportation programs should also help deliver accessibility by connecting to existing and future attainable and affordable housing developments including transit-oriented developments.  These programs should: 

• Include building active transportation networks suitable for people of all ages, abilities and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Connect areas of high community interests, major destinations and First Nations Communities 
• Encourage cycling uptake with income-tested rebate programs like provincially managed E-bike rebate. 

We need a provincial government that will ensure that British Columbia is the leader in supporting active transportation in Canada, which should include:

• Increasing cost-share funding to municipalities through the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program (BCATIG) so they can develop nation-leading safe and comfortable cycling networks for people of all ages and abilities,
• Creating cycle highways between municipalities that other provinces will model their own on, and 
• Coordinating with municipalities to remove the barriers to quickly implement active transportation infrastructure and services in areas of provincial jurisdiction like MVA reforms, highways, bridges, and ferries.

Q: Will you commit to supporting increased funding for active transportation infrastructure and programs within the next two years?

Q: Will you support the implementation of an ongoing income-tested rebate program like provincially managed e-bike, wheelchair and mobility scooter rebates to encourage more people to adopt active transportation within the next two years?

Focus Area 3: Support TransLink’s Access for Everyone Plan in Metro Vancouver and similar programs across the province

Essential services such as public transit and safe and equitable access to active transportation networks are crucial for creating well-functioning, prosperous, and healthy communities, where affordable housing is accessible to everyone. Support for the funding of TransLink’s Access for Everyone Plan in Metro Vancouver and similar initiatives across British Columbia are needed to address expanding population, housing and equity issues on a provincial level. This will in turn foster a better climate for cycling and active transportation.

Q: Will you support funding the Access for Everyone Plan In Metro Vancouver and similar initiatives outside Metro Vancouver within the next two years?

HUB Cycling urges all parties and candidates in the upcoming provincial election to prioritize these focus areas in their platforms, ensuring that British Columbia becomes a leader in active transportation, road safety, and equitable infrastructure. Together, these initiatives will help create safer, more sustainable, and more inclusive communities across the province.

For more information, visit bikehub.ca/vote.