Urge Your Mayor and Council to Support Cycling Resolutions at UBCM

There are a couple of important cycling policy resolutions recommending bike lane sweeping and safe routes along highways that will be voted on at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention September 26 - 30 in Vancouver. Thanks to Delta and the Sunshine Coast Regional District for proposing them.

Please contact your mayor and council and urge them to vote for these resolutions.

From page 101 of the Resolutions:

B116 SAFE CYCLING ROUTES ALONG HIGHWAY CORRIDORS Delta

WHEREAS highway corridors such as the South Fraser Perimeter Road provide important linkages for both commuter and recreational cyclists;

AND WHEREAS in many communities the current cycling infrastructure provided along these corridors consists of shoulders without physical separation, which is considered unsafe and discouraging to cyclists:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province be requested to provide parallel routes, physical separation, and safe facilities for cyclists along highway corridors.

This proposal proved quite popular in an on-line poll in the Georgia Straight article Union of B.C. Municipalities will look at highway bike lanes.

From page 28 of the Resolutions:

B19 BIKE LANE SWEEPING Sunshine Coast RD

WHEREAS governments invest in the provision of cycling lanes adjacent to provincial roadways to promote healthy lifestyles and provide alternatives to single occupancy vehicles;

AND WHEREAS gravel and other debris on the cycling paths pose a risk to cyclists and act as an impediment to the use of alternative modes of transportation:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure to amend road maintenance contracts to increase the frequency of bike lane and highway shoulder sweeping.

This one from page 77 of the Resolutions is not cycling specific but as a lot of cycling collisions occur at intersections, general improvements to intersection safety should reduce cycling collisions.

B84 INTERSECTION SAFETY CAMERAS ALONG HIGHWAYS Delta

WHEREAS intersection safety cameras have the potential to significantly reduce the frequency and severity of crashes at highway intersections regardless of pavement markings;

AND WHEREAS current Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) policies do not allow for the installation of intersection safety cameras on approaches without marked crosswalks, such as the intersection of Highway 17 and Ladner Trunk Road in Delta:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM work with the Province and ICBC to interpret and apply the current legislation to allow for intersection safety cameras to be installed at crash-prone locations where marked crosswalks are absent.