Victoria tops Canadian cities for walking and cycling to work

Although active transportation advocates are celebrating data showing that Victoria has the highest rate of people cycling to work among Canada’s 41 largest cities, they say we have some way to go to catch up with cities in ‘Europe.

The most recent census data from Statistics Canada shows that the top three cities in Canada for cycling trips were in British Columbia, with Victoria leading, followed by Kelowna and Vancouver.

In 2021, one in 20 commuters – or 5.3% – in the Capital Region regularly cycled to work, with Kelowna in second place at 2% and Vancouver slightly behind at 1.9%.

Victoria also has the second highest proportion of commuters who walk to work downtown at 29.5%, just behind Ottawa-Gatineau, where it is 29.8%.

According to Statistics Canada, these figures are not unexpected, given Victoria’s compact urban environment, relatively flat topography and mild winters.

But while the rankings are encouraging, they don’t tell the whole story, says Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, an independent research body in the city.

Litman notes that census data only captures commuting and therefore underestimates the share of total trips by bicycle and on foot. The figures do not take into account shopping, children’s trips to school, recreational walking and cycling, children’s trips or bicycle trips that include motorized modes, he said.

A bike-bus-walk trip, for example, would be considered a public transit trip by Statistics Canada.

Litman said that while Victoria is considered the best city for cycling in Canada, it’s not the best in North America, with some college towns in the United States rated higher.

“While we can be really proud of what we have achieved, we could do better,” he said. “We are far from our potential.”

He singled out the City of Victoria for its leadership in building its cycling infrastructure over the past few years.

“Every other jurisdiction in the Capital Regional District has active transportation plans — and good intentions — but no specific plans on how to achieve their goals.”

Some have plans, but at current funding levels they won’t be completed for 30 years or more, he said.

Litman criticized some planners for having a “windshield perspective” – seeing infrastructure through the lens of the automobile instead of pedestrians and cyclists, noting that the sidewalk network outside the Victoria is incomplete and hinders accessibility for all users, including those using wheelchairs.

Corey Burger, president of policy and infrastructure for the nonprofit advocacy group Capital Bike, said the census numbers validate local policies that created walking and biking trails, making the city more livable and promoting a more great sense of community. He also said there was more to do.

“Let’s not pat each other on the back so quickly,” he said.

“We have to recognize that while we may be the best in Canada, internationally, we’re still behind. Let’s compare ourselves to better cities to get some perspective.

He agrees with Statistics Canada that the area’s small size, topography and established cycling culture are all “big drivers” of the high number of commuters who regularly cycle to work, but he said that the figures also show how safe cyclists feel on some of the area’s protected cycle paths.

“The safer they feel, the longer they’ll be on the road,” Burger said. “People feel safe jumping on a bike for a long ride or short trips to the store.”

Statistics Canada data does not ask respondents if they commute using electric-assisted bicycles and scooters, a rapidly growing trend.

“We’re now seeing commuters using them to allow them to travel further afield, or using them on hilly routes where they wouldn’t have considered taking trips before,” Litman said. “I can see new technology doubling the number of users.”

parrais@timescolonist.com

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