| The Salish Sea Trail Network is a loop trail winding through Sidney and up through the Cowichan Valley, and could be a perfect destination for cyclists, IF they could safely cross Salt Spring to make the loop complete. But many of us know what a challenge it is to ride safely on this island. The Salish Sea Trail Network could be a big part of the solution for residents and visitors alike – and now is the time to make this call for support heard loud and clear. Join our Rally for the Salish Sea Trail on Sat Oct 3rd at 12 noon in the Meadow and Please sign our petition! The Salish Sea Trail Network is an idea hatched almost 15 years ago, and amazingly, it is 90% complete. Connecting the safe, mostly off-road Lochside, Galloping Goose, Cowichan Valley Regional Trail, and the E&N Railroad, this cycling, walking and active transportation network connects some of the most populated – and stunning – parts of coastal BC. The missing link is the Vesuvius to Fulford ferry terminals on Salt Spring, where we well know the issues with narrow roadways, lack of shoulders, dangerous blind crossings, and fast moving traffic on often unpainted roads makes bicycling a dangerous choice for all but the most courageous and athletic. Salt Spring is also long overdue for an update to our primary road network, as it has been over twenty years since the Ministry for Transportation has made major investments to road safety in the Fulford -Ganges – Vesuvius spine road. At current rates of funding, it will be another twenty before we have a connected network making cycling safe for residents and tourists alike. Cycling is sadly a dream many gave up after moving here, or a lost memory from those who grew up here but won’t send their own kids out on our roads today. That’s why finishing the Salish Sea Trail – as a legacy program of the post-pandemic “Green Recovery” stimulus funding – makes so much sense. When completed this trail network will bring major economic and health benefits to all BC citizens, attracting the right kind of low impact ecotourism we need to not only stimulate the economy, but keep our aging population healthy, while supporting the transition to the low-carbon future we all know we need. Completing and marketing the trail network now will create immediate jobs in planning, engineering, construction and communications, and bring countless economic spin off benefits to not only Salt Spring but the 14 First Nations and dozens of other rural and suburban communities it would connect across the entire region. During a time when we face interconnected crises in health, climate, and inequality – not to mention more local concerns like parking, pedestrian safety in Ganges and road degradation – getting more people onto bikes and e-bikes will help build the better world we need now. To help push for funding on this project, please show your active support by coming out to the: RALLY FOR THE SALISH SEA TRAIL Saturday October 3rd 12 noon United Church Meadow. Or kick off the rally by joining the SOCIAL RIDE starting at 11am at Portlock Park. Bring your signs and your voices to call for Safe Cycling on Salt Spring Island. Organized by Salt Spring Solutions & Cycling Salt Spring Please sign our petition! |
