GVAT asks City of Victoria to meet or beat provincial 25% traffic reduction target

In October 2021 the BC government adopted a new target to reduce “distances travelled in light-duty vehicles by 25% by 2030, compared to 2020.” GVAT has requested that the City of Victoria thank the provincial government for this bold target, and commit to meeting or beating the CleanBC 25% by 2030 target.

Victoria aspires to be an urban sustainability leader and is already doing some of what needs to be done to meet this new climate action target. But every level of government needs to do more to reduce our reliance on oil and gas.

When space is reallocated to bus lanes, protected bike and roll lanes, and space for walking, traffic evaporates. More and safer options for people on the move equates to fewer cars, healthier, cooler, more inclusive and more pleasant communities. Reduced need for car ownership reduces transportation expenses, and less need for parking reduces housing costs.

BC’s new target of 25 per cent less traffic on our roads by 2030 is achievable. But it can’t happen without strong municipal support and action.

GVAT’s Transportation & Built Environment accomplishments include a ground breaking new CRD policy on transportation prioritization in the region, focused on meeting regional sustainable transportation, affordability, and greenhouse gas reduction targets. This could see hundreds of millions of provincial and federal dollars invested in electric rapid bus lines, cycling routes, and sidewalks. It could also get climate pollution from transportation trending down rather than up. Ensuring implementation is one of our main ongoing campaign focuses.

Another ongoing campaign focus is making it so people using wheelchairs and mobility scooters can access All Ages and Abilities (AAA) bike and roll routes.

Click here to read our letter to Mayor Helps and Victoria City Council.

Click here to find out more about our Transportation & Built Environment campaign work.