Transport Minister Sylvain Gaudreault launched the National Sustainable Mobility Strategy yesterday (February 10, 2014). This position paper is interesting in several respects, not least the place given to public transit. We should be delighted to see the government endow Quebec with a vision of 21st-century transportation, in which the focus is on the mobility of people, not vehicles. It's high time we stopped pitting cars against public transit or bicycles. A cyclist has no fewer rights than a motorist.
In this strategy, the Minister proposes to invest $35 million in active transportation by 2020. That's good, but it's not enough. In fact, it's less than the amount invested by the government between 2007 and 2012. This means that by 2020, there will be less money earmarked for the promotion of active transportation and for new cycling facilities.
This is astonishing, given the growing enthusiasm of municipalities for active transportation. In fact, it's a shame that this strategy misses the opportunity to capitalize on this sustained interest. In these difficult budgetary times, we would have liked to see the government recognize the excellent cost-benefit ratio of active transportation facilities, and devote substantial sums to them.
Another announcement, this one from the Ministry of Sustainable Development, is expected shortly. Let's hope the government takes advantage of this opportunity to increase the sums announced yesterday.
Suzanne Lareau
President and General Manager
Vélo Québec
