Q1  Will your party commit to substantially increasing direct funding for active transportation?

GREEN: Yes, the B.C. Greens are strong supporters of increasing funding for active transportation. We have advocated for better bike corridors, public transit options, and increasing the walkability of neighbourhoods across B.C. in our time as minority government partners. We commit to continuing this work to directly fund improvements to active transportation networks in B.C.

LIBERAL: Active transportation is valued by people all across B.C., which was why since 2001, BC Liberal governments invested $230 million in cycling grants and infrastructure across the province. Through BikeBC, our cost-sharing program with communities, we provided $44 million in funding between 91 projects. Our lives have changed during this pandemic, and people need safe opportunities for active transportation and outdoor recreation. Active transportation in and around our communities has been embraced as a core aspect of our ‘new normal.’ Parks and protected areas play a fundamental role in this – connecting us with our natural environment through opportunities such as hiking or cycling.

NDP: As part of our economic recovery plan, launched in September, we committed to provide $17 million for projects to improve the safety of active transportation networks. These investments will mean better safety at crossings, improved connections for Indigenous communities, and will also help to repair and restore critical infrastructure across our networks.

Q2  Will your party commit to updating the Motor Vehicle Act in your government's first term, and implementing safe passing legislation?

LIBERAL: A BC Liberal government will work with the cycling community on potential rule changes to benefit cyclists. The Motor Vehicle Act needs to continue to evolve over time to include updates to improve cycling safety. We will also make significant investments in highway infrastructure to improve safety, such as providing wider shoulders. Public safety is something we take seriously, and that extends to pedestrians and cyclists. If we form government, we will work with police and prosecutors to reduce crime in our communities, and improve public safety, including ways that will make life safer for cyclists: adopting a zero-tolerance approach to deadly and illegal street-racing, and cracking down on bicycle-theft.

NDP: Meeting our goal of doubling active transportation trips by 2030 will require us to ensure that people feel safe, no matter the mode of transportation they choose. We would be pleased to meet with your organization, and other stakeholders, to look at what changes might be needed to protect all road users. We recently quadrupled the fine for dooring as one step to improve safety for cyclists. The higher fine, along with a public education and awareness campaign, will help raise the profile of cyclists. It will also help improve cyclists’ safety by making drivers more aware of their actions.

GREEN: The safety of cyclists and pedestrians is of utmost importance if we’re going to enhance active transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The B.C. Greens will examine the Motor Vehicle Act and potential amendments including safe passing legislation to improve safety and make sure our roads work for everyone.

Q3  Will you commit to substantially increasing the ICBC Road Improvement Program budget, and allocating a fair and equitable portion to walking and cycling safety?

NDP: While changes to ICBC’s road improvement program budget are not part of our election platform, we would be pleased to sit down with you, and with other interested parties, to look at the current situation and what options exist to ensure that we are improving safety for all road users, including those walking or cycling.

GREEN: The B.C. Greens will examine reforms to ICBC’s budget that include dedicated funding to pedestrian and cyclist safety, and working with stakeholders to determine a targeted percentage of the budget that allows for these changes. Ensuring road safety for all users is a significant priority of ours, and we will reassess the portion of the ICBC Road Improvement Program budget with this in mind.

LIBERAL: Road improvements and programs that increase safety will continue to be priority for a BC Liberal government. We will also end the ICBC monopoly so that drivers can pick the best rate available and have true choice in auto insurance.