Re: "Cycling upgrades in capital could cost $220 million," Aug. 12.
I have noticed in every condo or apartment parkade that I have visited in the region that almost every parking space has a bicycle locked up in it. Sometimes more than one.
At a guess, I would say that there is at least one bike for every two people in the Greater Victoria area. I have also noticed that most of these bikes are never used.
Obviously, their owners intended to ride them.
How many of these people would take their bikes for local trips if we had a complete, connected and safe cycling network with proper support facilities?
Many cities in Europe with similar or less clement weather than Victoria have cycling mode shares of 30 to 40 per cent, compared to Greater Victoria's three per cent. They got there through long-term plans similar to the pedestrian and cycling master plan. Now they have their cycling infrastructure in place and their populations use it in ever increasing numbers.
The investment is returned many times over in reduced health costs, less noise and air pollution and safer and healthier communities.
I know $220 million sounds like a lot of money until you realize that this is the cost over 25 years shared by 330,000 people, which works out to a little more than $25 per person per year. And those who choose to cycle more often will save a lot more than that in car expenses.
Simon Wigzell
Victoria
