Greater  Nanaimo  Cycling  Coalition    |  P.O.Box  441,  Nanaimo,  BC  V9R  3L5    |    www.bikesense.org  

GNCC  working  with  Health  Groups  on  Transportation  Plan   BC  On  The  Move:  Key  Health  Messages    

The  Provincial  Government  is  developing  a  new  10-­‐year  transportation  plan,  B.C.  on  the  Move,  and  wants  to  know  your  top  three  priorities  for  transportation  infrastructure  projects.      The  Greater  Nanaimo  Cycling  Coalition  ,  together  with  Health,  Business  and  Tourism  groups  will  be  making  a  submission  to  the  government  and  we  want  that  submission  to  reflect  the  priorities  of  our  members  and  other  people  in  our  community  .  Knowing  your  priorities  will  also  help  us  make  the  case  to  the  government  for  increased  investment  million  in  cycling  infrastructure,  maintenance  and  education.  In  our  cycling  strategy,  the  GNCC  recommends  the  Province  invest  $75  million  per  year  in  upgrading  cycling  facilities  on  Provincial  highways  and  bridges  as  well  as  providing  increased  funding  for  cycling  networks  in  communities  around  BC.  

This  is  an  invitation  to  participate  in  a  discussion  about  the  provincial  Ten  Year  Transportation  Plan  'BC  on  The  Move'  and  how  to  strengthen  its  potential  benefits  and  mitigate  issues  for  BC's  health  and  environment.  As  the  'BC  On  the  Move'  plan  is  intended  to  set  the  direction  of  planning  and  funding  of  transportation  infrastructure  over  the  next  ten  years,  we  see  this  as  an  opportunity  to  deliver  a  coordinated  message  about  the  need  for  a  stronger  provincial  commitment  to  active  transportation  and  transit.  

Our  Take  

While  the  plan  addresses  some  of  the  health  benefits  of  improved  cycling,  walking,  and  active  transportation  infrastructure,  the  ministry  has  missed  an  opportunity  to  truly  make  the  connection  between  health  and  transportation.  The  ‘Moving  Forward’  section  3-­‐  Connecting  and  Strengthening  Communities  needs  to  be  enhanced  and  prioritized  as  the  first  section.  Additionally,  the  following  areas  should  be  addressed  within  the  document:  

Air  Quality  

The  development  of  larger  road  networks  and  infrastructure  may  ultimately  lead  to  more  cars  and  trucks  on  the  road  thereby  producing  more  air  pollutants.  Poor  air  quality  has  been  shown  to  have  mild  to  severe  health  implications,  especially  for  the  elderly,  the  young,  the  immunocompromised  and  those  who  suffer  from  respiratory  disease  or  asthma.    More  cars  on  the  road  may  prevent  communities,  and  the  province  as  

 

Greater  Nanaimo  Cycling  Coalition    |  P.O.Box  441,  Nanaimo,  BC  V9R  3L5    |    www.bikesense.org  

a  whole,  achieve  their  GHGs  reduction  targets.  In  Canada,  24%  (as  of  2011)  of  GHGs  are  from  transportation  (cars  and  trucks).  Increased  volume  on  the  roads  will  increase  this  percentage.      

• The  Greenhouse  Gas  Reduction  Targets  Act  (GGRTA)  sets  aggressive  legislated  targets  for  reducing  greenhouse  gases.  Under  the  Act,  B.C.'s  GHG  emissions  are  to  be  reduced  by  at  least  33  per  cent  below  2007  levels  by  2020.    Source:  http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=60E1E7810BC145C6B6FC00EE31F41EC5  

• Health  effects  from  air  pollution  can  last  for  a  short  while  (e.g.,  coughing)  or  become  chronic  (e.g.,  heart  and  lung  disease).  Health  problems  increase  when  we  are  exposed  to  air  pollution  for  a  long  time  (exposure),  and  when  we  breathe  in  a  lot  of  it  (concentration).    Source:  http://www.bcairquality.ca/health/  

• Coughing  and  wheezing  are  two  of  the  mild  problems  associated  with  inhaling  PM2.5.  However,  this  type  of  air  pollution  can  also  cause  or  worsen  serious  illnesses  such  as  asthma,  heart  disease,  chronic  bronchitis,  emphysema  and  pneumonia.  Exposure  to  PM2.5  is  associated  with  a  significant  rise  in  the  number  of  premature  deaths  from  respiratory  and  heart  disease.  It's  also  linked  with  more  emergency  room  visits,  hospitalization,  and  time  off  work  and  school.  Long-­‐term  exposure  in  pregnant  women  can  cause  premature  births  and  low  birth  weights.    Source:  http://www.bcairquality.ca/health/air-­‐quality-­‐and-­‐health.html  

• List  of  what  communities  can  do  to  improve  air  quality,  such  as:  building  more  livable  communities,  enhancing  public  transit,  put  in  place  anti-­‐idling  laws.  Source:  http://www.bcairquality.ca/101/community-­‐air-­‐quality.html  

• GHG  emissions  in  Canada  Source:  http://www.ec.gc.ca/ges-­‐ghg/985F05FB-­‐4744-­‐4269-­‐8C1A-­‐D443F8A86814/1001-­‐Canada's%20Emissions%20Trends%202013_e.pdf  

Transit  in  smaller  communities  

More  support  for  transit  in  small  communities  and  lower  served  areas  is  needed.  Many  rural  communities  have  limited  transit  options,  especially  for  those  who  are  unable  to  drive  and  do  not  have  easy  access  to  amenities,  such  as  food  stores,  doctors,  etc.  Increased  handydart  service  is  needed  in  all  communities  to  support  those  with  disabilities.  Transit  service  can  have  a  great  impact  on  social  wellbeing  and  connectedness  as  it  allows  for  greater  opportunities  for  employment,  visiting  friends,  and  getting  people  where  they  want  to  go.    

• One  way  that  smaller  communities  maximize  ridership  and  stay  ahead  of  rising  costs  is  to  focus  on  understanding  and  serving  key  market  segments.    

• More  flexible,  demand-­‐responsive  approaches  including  dial-­‐a-­‐ride  are  used  by  some  systems  to  provide  service  during  off-­‐peak  hours,  or  to  serve  low-­‐density  or  rural  areas.  

• Taxi  service  for  rural  areas  with  a  subsidy.    Source  for  all  three  points  above:  http://www.cutaactu.ca/en/public-­‐transit/publicationsandresearch/resources/issuepaperno.11_publictransitandsmallcommunities.pdf  

 

Greater  Nanaimo  Cycling  Coalition    |  P.O.Box  441,  Nanaimo,  BC  V9R  3L5    |    www.bikesense.org  

• Social  connections  and  transit:  Those  with  greater  travel  opportunities,  or  connection  options,  have  been  found  to  have  more  diverse  social  networks,  which  leads  to  greater  mental  health  and  feelings  of  belonging.    Source:  http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/wp-­‐content/uploads/2013/10/The-­‐Spatial-­‐Trap2.pdf  

Transit  in  all  regions  

Increased  transit  availability  benefits  the  users,  non-­‐users  and  those  in  which  transit  is  their  only  option.  Increased  sustainable  transit  can  have  benefits  for  air  quality,  social  connectedness,  access  to  amenities,  physical  activity,  etc.  Improved  transportation  networks  that  connect  the  entire  region  of  Metro  Vancouver  will  support  the  projected  growth  of  the  region  and  in  more  rural  areas,  improved  transit  systems  will  entice  younger  generations  to  remain  in  their  home  towns  and  support  their  local  communities.    

• Transportation  design  plays  a  significant  role  in  shaping  how  residents  move  throughout  a  community.  A  community  with  a  car-­‐centric  road  network  will  likely  encourage  residents  to  drive  and  keep  driving,  even  for  short  distances.  Source:  https://hcbdclasp.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/hsf-­‐hcbd-­‐clearwater-­‐project-­‐sep-­‐15-­‐2014.pdf    

• Growing  proportion  of  aging  population  in  rural  communities  will  require  better  transit  in  order  to  access  shopping,  medical  appointments  and  social  engagements.  Young  non-­‐drivers,  or  who  cannot  afford  a  car,  will  need  better  transit  to  access  job  opportunities  (without  it  they  will  have  to  move  to  more  urban  centres  which  affects  local  economies)  Source:  https://www.fcm.ca/Documents/tools/GMF/Transport_Canada/ImprovingTravelSmallRural_EN.pdf    

• Improved  transit  systems  in  urban  areas  can  have  positive  indirect  effects  on  the  environment,  economy  and  the  health  of  community  members.  Improved  transit  in  all  regions  can  help  the  movement  of  both  people  and  goods  throughout  the  region.    Source:  http://www.comt.ca/english/urbanprogress.pdf    

Social  Connectedness  

When  discussing  the  province’s  transit  system,  there  is  no  mention  of  how  an  efficient  transit  system  can  increase  social  connectedness  within  a  community.    By  providing  a  means  of  transportation  to  go  to  work,  access  social  networks,  education,  and  leisure  activities  to  those  that  otherwise  may  not  have  access  can  dramatically  improve  mental  health  and  reduce  social  isolation.      Equity  should  be  a  goal  in  transportation  planning.  

• People  living  in  the  poorest  communities  suffer  the  worst  access  opportunities  and    also  the  worst  effects  of  other  people's  travel  -­‐  they  are  both  less  travelled  and  more    travelled  upon.    Source:  http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/literature-­‐review-­‐community-­‐severance-­‐social-­‐connectedness/docs/literature-­‐review-­‐community-­‐severance-­‐social-­‐connectedness-­‐definitions-­‐pathways-­‐measurement.pdf  

 

Greater  Nanaimo  Cycling  Coalition    |  P.O.Box  441,  Nanaimo,  BC  V9R  3L5    |    www.bikesense.org  

• Transport  decisions  have  an  impact  on  consumer  budgets.    This  can  affect  social  inclusion  directly  (by  making  it  difficult  to  afford  transport)  and  indirectly  (by  reducing  the  amount  of  money  left  for  other  activities,  such  as  food,  housing,  education,  etc.).  Rural  residents  spend  more  on  transport  than  urban  residents  in  absolute  terms  and  as  a  portion  of  income.  This  suggests  that  lower-­‐income  households  located  in  automobile  dependent  areas  face  particular  hardship  from  unaffordable  transport.    Source:  http://www.vtpi.org/soc_ex.pdf    

Natural  Environment  

There  is  very  little  discussion  around  the  suggested  transportation  investments  being  planned/incorporated  using  a  sustainable  lens  in  order  to  protect  our  natural  environment.    It  is  integral  that  our  natural  areas  protect  the  ecosystem  services  that  we  depend  on.      

 

Speed  Limits  

There  is  no  discussion  on  speed  limits.    Lowering  speed  limits  can  increase  safety,  fuel  efficiency  and  promote  people  to  spend  more  time  outdoors.  

• Pedestrians’  chances  of  surviving  a  crash  at  30  km/h  are  much  higher  (90%)  than  if  they  are  hit  at  50  km/h  (30%).      Source:  Adapted  from  Bureau  de  prévention  des  accidents,  2008.    

• Most  cars,  vans,  SUVs  and  pick-­‐up  trucks  operate  most  fuel  efficiently  when  travelling  between  50  and  80  km/h.  Above  this  optimal  speed  zone,  vehicles  consume  increasingly  more  fuel  the  faster  they  go.    At  120  km/h,  a  vehicle  uses  about  20  percent  more  fuel  than  at  100  km/h.  On  a  25-­‐km  trip,  this  spike  in  speed—and  fuel  consumption—would  cut  just  two  minutes  from  your  travel  time.  Source:  http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/transportation/cars-­‐light-­‐trucks/fuel-­‐efficient-­‐driving-­‐techniques/7513    

• A  Switzerland  study  indicated  that  after  lowering  traffic  speed,  the  number  of  people  that  said  they  ‘linger’  in  their  street  increased  from  24%  in  a  50kph  street  to  37%  in  a  30kph  street  (Basel  cited  in  Duncan  2012:63).    Source:  http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/literature-­‐review-­‐community-­‐severance-­‐social-­‐connectedness/docs/literature-­‐review-­‐community-­‐severance-­‐social-­‐connectedness-­‐definitions-­‐pathways-­‐measurement.pdf