July 6, 2006

VANCOUVER – Cycling infrastructure projects in a dozen communities around the province will receive $2 million in funding to create more options for commuting and recreational cycling, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
 
“We are committed to making the largest investment in cycling infrastructure in B.C.’s history,” said Campbell. “Today’s announcement, along with the plans for $50 million in cycling investment as part of the Gateway Program, will encourage more use of cycling for commuting and for recreation. And that means we will be one step closer to our ActNow BC goal of becoming the North American leader in healthy living and physical fitness, and the healthiest jurisdiction to ever host the Olympics.”
 
This year, the Ministry of Transportation will provide funding for 18 projects that will add more than 22 km of new bike lanes and trails. Communities receiving funding this year include Vancouver, Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, Victoria, Saanich, Courtenay, Kelowna, Vernon, Coldstream, Quesnel and Prince George.
 
The funding is distributed through the Cycling Infrastructure Partnerships Program (CIPP). In total, the ministry has spent nearly $5.5 million through CIPP, creating approximately 75 km of new bike lanes around the province since the program began three years ago.
 
“We are working to ensure that commuters have more options within our transportation system,” said Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon. “Cycling is not only great exercise, it offers a viable commuting alternative that will help ease congestion, improve the environment and encourage healthy living.”
 
Communities cost-share their projects 50-50 through CIPP and can further leverage projects with other partnerships. The initiative is part of a proactive, collaborative approach between governments that will help British Columbia achieve sustainability in the province's health care system and the environment.
 
ActNow BC is the cross government, partnership-based health promotion strategy that is helping British Columbians improve their quality of life by making healthier lifestyle decisions to live tobacco-free, eat more nutritious foods, be more physically active and make healthy choices during pregnancy.

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.