The Council of Canadians Victoria chapter will be holding a public forum on bike lanes and climate justice on November 29.
The featured speakers at the forum will be Victoria chapter activist and Better Transit Alliance spokesperson Eric Doherty and Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition activist Edward Pullman.
The outreach for it notes:
“Bike Lanes and Beyond: Transportation & Climate Justice in Greater Victoria
Tuesday Nov. 29 7-8:30 pm
Victoria Public Library Central Branch – 735 Broughton St
Transportation is one of the biggest sources of climate pollution, and governments in Greater Victoria are starting to look for solutions. All Ages and Abilities (AAA) bike lanes have many benefits. But there are many more complementary options that reduce climate pollution and create healthier communities that are better places to live.
Presented by Council of Canadians Victoria Chapter, the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition and the newly-formed Better Transit Alliance of Greater Victoria.”
David Suzuki Foundation transportation policy analyst Gideon Forman says, “Research done by Transportation Alternatives in the U.S. found that if just five per cent of New Yorkers who currently commute by car or taxi switched to cycling, it would save 150 million pounds of carbon dioxide a year. If the bike lane encourages even a small shift toward cycling, it can make an important contribution to climate protection.”
And a McGill University study states, “A statistically significant association is found between the index of bicycle infrastructure accessibility and bike mode choice – an increase of 10% in the accessibility index results in a 3.7% increase in the ridership. Based on the estimated models and in combination with a GHG inventory at the trip level, the potential impact of planned cycling infrastructure is explored using a basic scenario. A reduction of close to 2% in GHG emissions is observed for an increase of 7% in the length of the bicycle network. Results show the important benefits of bicycle infrastructure to reduce commuting automobile usage and GHG emissions.”
In mid-November, Journal of Commerce reported, “Victoria is constructing the first leg of its Phase 1 downtown core cycle plan. The first phase will cost an estimated $7.5 million for five kilometres of dedicated bikeway through Victoria’s downtown area. The Phase 1 project, part of Victoria’s Biketoria program, which aims to create a network throughout the city, will consist of a two-way protected bike lane physically separated from traffic by islands and other structures. The first portion is costing $3.4 million for 1.2 kilometres of Pandora Ave., with a March 2017 completion date.”
For more on The Council of Canadians climate justice campaign, please click here.
