Communities throughout British Columbia can make cycling and active lifestyles more accessible for people in their regions, thanks to funding from the province’s BikeBC program.

A call for submissions to the 2019-20 BikeBC program is now open. The program offers communities funding to create new cycling infrastructure, as well as to improve existing infrastructure, to make local transportation safer, greener and more accessible.

Applications will be received until Feb. 18, 2019.

Past funding projects have ranged from major cycling path and bike lane improvements to way-finding signs, repair stations, bike racks, lockers or upgrades to existing infrastructure that prioritizes safety for cyclists. Funding is also available for smaller communities to develop cycling network plans.

Smaller communities, with populations of less than 15,000, are eligible to apply for funding that covers up to 75% of project costs, while communities with more than 15,000 people are eligible for 50% of costs covered.

In B.C., 40% of residents ride a bike at least once a year – a number the province is working to increase. The BikeBC program encourages active living, which complements the government’s recently announced CleanBC plan. The plan is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while creating more jobs and economic opportunities for people, businesses and communities.

Since 1996, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has provided cost-shared funding for new cycling infrastructure to local governments, municipalities, regional districts and First Nations communities.

Over the past five years, the program has announced $26.74 million in funding for 113 cycling projects, which, due to cost sharing, has resulted in over $53 million invested in cycling infrastructure throughout B.C.

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