Key Burnaby bike route to see nearly $10 million upgrade

A cycling route that connects SFU and Burnaby Mountain with other Lower Mainland communities is getting a major upgrade.

The federal government is providing $5.7 million in funding to upgrade the Vancouver–SFU Active Transportation Connection in order to bring it into alignment with All Ages and Abilities (AAA) infrastructure standards, Burnaby North-Seymour MP Terry Beech and Mayor Mike Hurley announced Thursday.

The City of Burnaby will contribute just over $4 million to the project.

The Vancouver–SFU Active Transportation Connection is a section of the Trans Canada Trail that connects Vancouver, Burnaby, SFU, Port Moody, and Coquitlam.

The federal government described the route as a key linkage between neighbourhoods “with some of the highest percentages of underserved populations in the region.”

“Improving this bikeway to AAA standards will make it accessible to families with children, seniors and new riders, and provide these communities with affordable and safe transportation alternatives,” reads a press release announcing the funding.

The funding is part of Canada’s National Active Transportation Strategy, which was launched in July 2021 and aims to expand a nationwide network of pathways, bike lanes, trails, and pedestrian bridges.

Along with promoting health benefits, the federal government says active transportation is an important component of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution.

A brief on AAA standards released by the City of Vancouver notes that traditional cycle routes often appeal only to people who are comfortable with riding in and alongside vehicle traffic. AAA standards aim to separate cyclists from traffic with physical barriers, or by placing routes on quieter streets and off-street pathways.

“We’re excited to work with our federal partners as we continue to move towards our goal of making cycling safer and more accessible for people from all walks of life in Burnaby,” Hurley said in the press release.

“By making it easy for folks to bike, roll or walk rather than drive, we’re helping to make our community more livable, keeping our residents healthy and reducing our carbon emissions.”