NDP MLA Michele Babchuk Says Grants Will Support Active Transportation In North Island

North Island MLA Michele Babchuk says more people in the North Island will be able to safely and conveniently choose active transportation to get around, thanks to provincial funding for new active transportation planning in North Island.

Babchuk says the investments fill an important funding gap for local governments in rural areas, helping them plan and adapt to the needs of their communities.

The Village of Alert Bay, Gold River and Port Alice will be sharing about $53,000 for their respective Active Transportation Network Plans.

In North Island, the following governments are receiving provincial Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants:

• Village of Alert Bay- $18,600, Village of Alert Bay Active Transportation Network Plan
• Gold River- $20,000, Gold River Active Transportation Network Plan
• Port Alice- $14,400, Port Alice Active Transportation Plan

74 new infrastructure and planning projects in communities all around BC are receiving funding as part of this round of provincial grants. These include projects like multi-use pathways, bike lanes, pedestrian bridges, and improvements to lighting, sidewalks, and road quality and safety.

The province says that by partnering with local and Indigenous governments to fund these projects, it is giving more people the option to use active transportation in their daily travel.

Making these options more accessible supports the province’s CleanBC commitments to increase trips by walking, cycling, and transit by 30% by 2030.