New funding from the BC government will help Powell River create an active transportation development plan to encourage more people to cycle, walk, skateboard and use other forms of active transportation.
“People in Powell River love to ride their bikes and find that it’s a better alternative to driving,” stated Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast, in a media release. “I’m excited we are partnering with the city, whose consistent approach to lay out a clear plan for active transportation will benefit everyone in our community, no matter how they choose to get around.”
According to the release, City of Powell River will receive $20,000 to update the sustainable official community plan with a bicycle strategy. These grants are awarded to local governments and administered by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).
Simons stated this initiative is part of BC’s active transportation strategy, a plan to make walking, cycling and other forms of active transportation as safe and convenient as possible. By facilitating more clean and sustainable methods of getting around, the provincial government is supporting a healthier, more resilient natural environment, the release stated.
The active transportation strategy is part of the government’s CleanBC plan to put BC on a path to a low-carbon economy that creates opportunities for all, while protecting clean air, land and water.
“Transportation accounts for well over one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in British Columbia, so enabling more environmentally and socially responsible modes of travel is a priority for our government,” stated Bowinn Ma, minister of state for transportation and infrastructure. “This funding will help local governments integrate their active transportation planning as part of their land-use planning and will provide long-term benefits to our communities, our health, the environment and local economies.”
Since the active transportation planning grant launched, intakes in October 2020 and May 2021 have provided funding to 22 communities with the goal of encouraging British Columbians to choose walking, cycling, skateboarding and other active methods to get to their destinations.
“Communities with smart, safe and connected active transportation networks help people to leave their cars at home in favour of healthier, cleaner ways of getting around,” stated George Heyman, minister of environment and climate change strategy. “Local governments play an important role in community planning and grant programs like this one support better planning, improved design and on the ground results on the pathway to achieving our CleanBC goals.”
