Vancouver’s spent the last ten years squabbling over bike lanes. At the same time, drivers feel even small trips have gotten worse. Some will tell you these two issues are irreconcilable.

But for a city to work for cars, it has to work for everyone.

All Vancouverites benefit when we build a robust transportation infrastructure that supports multi-modal travel throughout the city. Private auto trip times decrease, businesses see increased patronage, and residents of all income levels gain choices in how they get around.

Vehicles aren’t going away. But how cars work and how we use them in our city is changing. Vancouver must plan for a future of electric, autonomous and shared vehicle use while continuing to support traffic reduction efforts for today’s cars using our road network.

Abundantly available transit options have the power to transform communities, raising up the poor and opening up new employment and housing possibilities for residents. When we invest in an efficient transit network, we’re making a direct investment in Vancouver’s economic prosperity and overall well-being, while also improving commute times for drivers.

Unfortunately, Vancouver recently lost its leadership position as chair of the regional TransLink Mayors’ Council. In our final year of our current municipal government, we’re not in the driver’s seat anymore – at a time when some of our most crucial transportation decisions are long overdue to be made.

What’s at stake if Vancouver no longer leads the way on transit planning?

  • longer and more expensive commute times, as fewer people take transit
  • a shrinking pool of employment opportunities, as it’s harder to get to jobs
  • dirtier air, increasing traffic fatalities, and a decline in public health
  • employers who can’t grow their business because of a smaller accessible talent pool

As the economic hub of our Metro area, smooth transportation of people and goods isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s vital to our survival. We have to find the funding – possibly further exploring private sector partnerships such as housing developers funding transit improvements through development levies – and get underway with the plans that are already on the table and beyond.