Missing on the mark on vehicle usage - GVAT letter in Times Colonist
Missing on the mark on vehicle usage
Re: “CRD OKs $53.5M to widen and light busiest parts of Galloping Goose and Lochside,” Aug. 10.
The decision to proceed with widening these busy regional trails is a good one. However, the need to borrow reflects chronic delays in implementing regional, provincial, and federal climate policies.
In 2021, Greater Victoria Acting Together asked the Capital Regional District to prioritize public transit, walking, rolling and cycling over highway expansion. And they voted unanimously to do so.
However, instead of strong advocacy to pressure the provincial and federal governments to prioritize low-carbon transportation the CRD apparently sat on their hands.
That same year, the province set a target to reduce automobile vehicle kilometres travelled 25 per cent by 2030 but has not yet put a moratorium on highway expansion. The federal government pledged to shift spending from highway expansion to public transit and other low-carbon transport in 2016 but has also dragged its feet.
As a result of these delays, the provincial and federal governments have funded the $77-million Keating flyover boondoggle instead of climate action measures like these regional trail improvements. (An inexpensive traffic light would alleviate safety concerns at Keating).
The death toll from the devastating wildfire on Maui shows that climate delay can’t be tolerated anymore. Will CRD board members now lean on the provincial and federal governments to put their money where their mouths are, or continue to choose climate delay?
Eric Doherty and Jane Welton
Climate Justice Team Co-leads
Greater Victoria Acting Together
Published in Times Colonist on August 16, 2023 - https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters-aug-16-those-mountains-in-the-belleville-terminal-concept-drawing-bike-lanes-prime-example-of-transportation-mismanagement-7412917#google_vignette
