Cyclists rejoice, Burnaby is one of many municipalities across B.C. vying for a piece of the $6 million Bike B.C. pie.
The province recently announced applications are being accepted from municipalities looking to take advantage of the available $6 million in funding for cycling infrastructure projects, including bike lanes, cycling and pedestrian bridges and – as in the case of Burnaby’s application – multi-use paths and trails.
The city hopes to get its hands on some of the funding for a 1.1 kilometre asphalt pathway along Rumble Street from Boundary Road to McKay Avenue.
“We think this one might fit the bill,” said Doug Louie, the city’s assistant director of engineering and transportation services.
To secure the dough, projects must fulfill a number of requirements, including that the project promotes commuter cycling and can be completed within one year of funding approval, which is why the Rumble Street project is the best bet, Louie said.
The city is upgrading the western stretch of Rumble Street and wants to install a 3.5 metre asphalt urban trail along the north side of the street.
This soon-to-be-proposed project would be a continuation of the work that’s already been done along the eastern portion of Rumble Street near Burnaby South Secondary School, Louie added.
The City of Burnaby is no stranger to such funding, provided by the province through BikeBC, the province’s cost-sharing program to help build cycling projects in B.C. Last year, the city secured $638,000 for the Gilmore Urban Trail project.
Municipalities interested in BikeBC funding, which covers about 50 per cent of project costs, must apply by April 8.
What did HUB say?
The NOW spoke with Dennis Hansen, chair of HUB Burnaby, about what projects his group would like to see the city secure funding for. Here’s what he said:
“We’re looking at having good cycling connection between all four town centres, which is Brentwood, Lougheed, Metrotown and Edmonds, and we’re looking at having AAA cycling routes that are all ages and abilities. …This is a big thing that we want, and we’re looking to see that before these town centres are developed, not in 20 or 30 years from now when they’re finished. ... We have highrises finished in Brentwood Town Centre now, but the cycling infrastructure isn’t there to get people out. They still have to rely on their cars.”
