Editor’s Note: 13 of the 92 respondents to the SRD study CORTES ISLAND ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS REPORT (2022) stated bicycles were their principal mode of transportation. During 2021, there were a number of reports of cars passing cyclists without due care on Cortes Island. The idea of building bike lanes on Cortes periodically comes up. During the 2018 election, George Sirk suggested, “They could use Ministry of Transportation right of ways and fund the program with revenues from the Gas Tax. There are inexpensive routes between Manson’s Landing and Smelt Bay, in Whaletown between Robertson Road and the ferry, and between Squirrel Cove and Tork Road.”
In a recent interview Quadra Island’s Director, Robyn Mawhinney, told Cortes Currents, ” … There’s a lot more commuting that’s been happening by bike and electric bike, and it would be really nice to support those alternate methods of transportation with safer lanes on the sides of roads.”
There is an extensive network of bike paths and dedicated bike lanes in Campbell River. One of the city’s goals is to increase the number of trips taken by bike to 5% by 2036. So far, 438 people have signed up for the city’s Spring GoByBike Week: June 3rd to 9th, 2024.
By Jordan Copp, Coast Reporter, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Sunshine Coast active transportation group is applauding BC legislation that imposes new safe driving distance rules for drivers passing vulnerable road users.
Several updates to the Motor Vehicle Act aimed at enhancing safety for cyclists and pedestrians were announced on April 4.
The predominant change is that the distance drivers must maintain when passing cyclists and other vulnerable road users has increased to 1.5 metres from one metre on highways with a posted speed limit above 50 km/h.
Continue reading Transportation Choices Sunshine Coast applauds BC legislation for safer driving rules