Bicycle vision part of 1995 master plan
Re: “Car drivers are not inherently evil,” letter, Oct. 25.
The letter-writer suggests Mayor Lisa Helps is the architect of a program that would see the installation of an increased number of bicycle lanes in downtown Victoria, one that would impede vehicular traffic. This program, however, is the vision that is documented in the 1995 bicycle master plan, which, in turn, was developed through public consultation and is being followed through by city council. It is being revised through further consultation.
Having commuted by bike for 128,000 kilometres over 19 years (with a few near-death experiences), I believe that to make cycling a viable option, we need proper infrastructure, including bike lanes.
Cycling is admittedly dispersed through the downtown core, but over time, the number of cyclists is projected to grow. Eight thousand regular commuter cyclists regionally is hardly a tiny number. In some Victoria and Oak Bay neighbourhoods, 15 per cent of the population cycles to work. There is also a huge latent demand, with 60 per cent of the public stating they would like to cycle more, but don’t feel that the roads are bike-friendly enough.
Surveys have shown that Victoria has the highest percentage of bike commuting of any metropolitan area in Canada, so why not support increased safety, health and fitness and reduced pollution? Cities across North America are making investments in cycling infrastructure and seeing positive results in terms of bike commuting. This goes hand in hand with education programs to foster increased understanding between drivers and cyclists. Al Niezen Saanich