RECEIV.ED ---BRITISH JUL \ 3 1011 COLUMBIA CITY MANAGER'S The Best Place on Earth Off--tet . ~ff0f¥1'INCE oeOR~ JUL O5 20fi

His Worship Reference: 196087 Mayor Dan Rogers City of Prince George 1100 Patricia Boulevard Prince George BC V2L 3V9

Dear Mayor Rogers:

Re: Cycling Infrastructure

Thank you for your letter of May 20, 2011, regarding cycling infrastructure across the province and in Prince George.

I agree that cycling can bring economic, environmental and health benefits to a community. Since 2001 we have invested $143 million in cycling infrastructure in over 75 communities, including Prince George, making cycling a safer, more attractive transportation and recreational option for British Columbians. As well, we continue to build wider road shoulders and incorporate new cycling facilities into our highway improvement projects where possible.

This ministry has a long record of community and stakeholder consultation on cycling projects, and ministry staff continue to work closely with local governments, as well as a number of community and cycling groups, the Cycling Coalition (BCCC) and the Prince George Cycling Club included, on cycling policy and programs. You may be pleased to know that ministry staff are presently reviewing the BCCC's submission to the Province, "Realizing the Benefits of Accelerated Investment in Cycling."

If you have any friTthcr questions or concerns about the ministry's role in helping to provide cycling infrastructure in your community, please don't hesitate to contact Alan Callander, Manager of Active Transportation/Municipal Policy. He can be reached at 250 356-5563 or by email at [email protected] and would be pleased to assist you.

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Ministry of Transportation Office of the l'vlinister Mailing c\ddress: and Infrastructure Parliament Buildings Victoria BC VS\' IX~ - 2 -

Thank you again for taking the time to write.

Sincerely,

Blair Lekstrom Minister

Copy to: Honourable Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation MLA, Prince George-Mackenzie

Honourable Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General MLA, Prince George-Valemount

Alan Callander, Manager, Active Transportation/Municipal Policy CITY OF PR INCE GEOl~GE BRITISH COU IM AJ A ESTABLISHED A.O. 19 15 OFF][CE OF TI~E MPfYOJR 1100 PATR ICIA BOULEVARD. PRINCE GEORGE. B.C. V2L 3V9 TELEPHOhlE (250) 561-7609 FAX (250) 56·1-0103

May 20, 2011

Honourable Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure PO Box 9055 STN PROV GOVT Victoria, B.C. , V8W 9E2

Dear Minister Lekstrom

I am writing in support of the March 1, 2011 letter sent to your predecessor Honourable Shirley Bond, by the Prince George Cycling Club, concerning the expansion of cycling infrastructure across the Province.

A cornerstone of a healthy community is one in which active transportation and physical activities are encouraged. The City of Prince George recognizes there are benefits to a community's liveability and quality of life for residents through the enhancement of existing transportation opportunities, and by the provision of new cycling infrastructure. A strong cycling network, properly designed and integrated into existing transportation systems, can assist in improving accessibility to business centres and within residential areas by enabling people to bicycle or take transit with their bicycles, rather than driving automobiles.

We are most appreciative that your Ministry has already made significant strides through strategic investments toward improving cycling infrastructure in British Columbia through such initiatives as the Bike BC and CIPP programs. I hope you will provide serious consideration to the British Columbia Cycling Coalition's report, as well as to the issues outlined in the Prince George Cycling Club's correspondence. We look forward to working with your Government on similar family friendly initiatives that promote healthy lifestyle choices and create better communities.

NCEGEORGE

cc Honourable Pat Bell, MLA, Prince George Mackenzie Honourable Shirley Bond, MLA, Prince George Valemount Prince George Cycling Club

Official Host City of the 2015 Canada Winter Games Prince George Cycling Club "To promote the sport of bicycling in all forms"

Prince George Cycling Club Bo x 225, Pri nce George , BC ,V2L 4S1 March 1, 2011 RECEIVED

Honorable Shirley Bond MA R - 7 ?011 th 1350 5 Ave, Prince George, V2L 3L4 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE CITY OF PRINCE GEORGE Dear Minister Bond,

Recently the British Columbia Cycling Coalition sent the Provincial Government a report, Realizing the Benefits of Accelerated Investment in Cycling. The Prince George Cycling Club would like to encourage you to support the BCCC's recommendations including committing serious investment into bicycle infrastructure.

The appetite for expanded opportunities for both recreational and commuter-based cycling is strong in Prince George. The Prince Geqrge _Cycl ing Cl_ub currently consists of 150 members and growing. Lo~al p1ogrc!'!JS and events such as Bike to Work Week (approx 300 participants), Prince George Road Race series (70 participants), Sprockids (120 graduates), and the Pidherny Recreation Area are enjoying surprising growth and benefit from strong community support.

The willingness of community members to go above and beyond to support better cycling opportunities is astounding. In 2009, the Prince George Urban Cycling Coalition created a report on the Prince George's urban cycling needs, and has strongly influenced the development of the City of Prince George's Active Transportation Plan, ICSP, Smart Growth on the Ground and MyPG planning process. The partnerships with municipal govern­ ment have created even greater momentum for cycling opportunities.

However, the ability of municipal government and volunteers to create real and lasting opportunities for better health outcomes and the infrastructure for sustainable transport is limited by their resources. As such, the pro­ vincial government and the Ministry of Transportation have a responsibility to support the development of cy­ cling infrastructure and partnerships with municipalities and community groups.

Prince George suffers from a serious lack of bicycle infrastructure, including even the most basic provision of bicycle racks in public places and the safe maintenance of bicycle routes. Investment in highway infrastructure in the Northern Interior has been outstanding, and if even a fraction of those investment dollars were targeted at bicycle infrastructure, they could provide immense benefits to citizens of Prince George and in every community across the province.

Residents of Prince George crave safe and accessible opportunities to make healthier and more sustainable life choices and to grow an important economy centered on bicycle transportation, recreation, and tourism. We urge you to support the BCCC's recommendations and move forward in expanding cycling infrastructure across the Province

Sincerely, -1~ ~ Prince George Cycling Club Jillian Merrick, President

CC : Pat Bell, , Dan Rogers

www . pgcycl in gel u b. ca