Editor’s note: While bike lanes and paths have long been proposed on both Cortes and Quadra Islands, the only community with a dedicated cycling infrastructure in our area is Campbell River. There are approximately 85 km of planned or extant bike routes in the city. The longest existing route is an ocean view bike lane, which swings west into Campbellton and then out to the city limits on Island Highwat #19. There are hundreds of kilometres of mountain bike trails on Quadra, but cyclists have to use undedicated roadways to get around the island. Despite the lack of bike lanes or paths, 14.13% of the respondents to Cortes Island’s Active Transportation Survey stated bicycles are their usual mode of transportation. (Only 63.04% drive alone or carpool, 2.17% hitchhike and 20.63% walk.) These numbers may reflect the number of Cortes residents who shop locally and primarily use their vehicles off-island.* 58% of the respondents described the lack of a dedicated bike infrastructure as the island’s principle transportation challenge. The second biggest challenge (41.3%) was a lack of walking paths.  

The North Salish Cycle Route (which would, for example, allow Cortes residents to pedal across to Campbell River, down to the Comox Ferry, over to Powell River and then home to Cortes) is primarily along roads with no bike lanes. Cyclists would also need to cross from Lund to Cortes Island on a water taxi. 

There are plans to build ‘a safe, efficient route for cyclists, pedestrians, people using mobility scooters’ from Lund to Sechelt.

By Madeline Dunnett, The Discourse,  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is planning on building two new active transportation paths to connect communities in the Comox Valley. 

The Cumberland to Courtenay Connector will link the Village of Cumberland to the City of Courtenay/ The Royston Road path will run up from the waterfront Seaside Trail and then turn on Livingston Road towards the elementary school.