I am excited to host Hon. Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, this Friday at ASK Salt Spring to discuss transportation issues on Salt Spring Island.
I invited Minister Fleming following a visit from Minister Mike Farnworth earlier this Spring where we discussed public safety on Salt Spring. Transportation was repeatedly raised as a top public safety concern and it remains a high traffic topic of correspondence to me from Salt Spring residents.
We will hear from you about a range of issues including BC Ferries, road maintenance and repairs, and upgrades to the Fulford-Vesuvius corridor to accommodate active transportation like walking and cycling more safely.
Minister Fleming has been responsive to our advocacy regarding the needs of Salt Spring Island, and I look forward to his visit so you can raise your ideas and concerns with him directly.
A year ago, the Ministry commissioned a cycling safety review of the corridor, and with the recommendations of that report now in hand, this is a wonderful opportunity to discuss the next steps in-person with the Minister responsible for the transportation network on Salt Spring.
I am excited to visit on Friday and I raise my hands to safe transportation advocates who are planning a family #GoByBike Week ride and rally for Salt Spring Island residents to participate in, in addition to the ASK Salt Spring meeting.
For the past three years, my office has hosted a monthly working group discussion of the Salish Sea Trail Network, which includes a 20km trail from Fulford to Vesuvius. This working group includes, CRD Director Gary Holman and CRD Transportation Commission, Islands Trust Trustee Laura Patrick, the Office of Elizabeth May, the Ferry Advisory Committee, representatives of Island Pathways, Transition Salt Spring, and representatives of the regional Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure office.
I raise my hands in gratitude to all the people and organizations who have volunteered their time to this collective effort. We hope you will join us this Friday and bring your transportation related ideas and concerns to the ASK Salt Spring public meeting to raise them with Minister Fleming directly.
Friday June 2, 2023
Schedule of Public Events
9:00am: Adam Olsen, MLA and cyclists depart Fulford for Ganges, stopping at Cusheon Lake Road.
9:15-9:30am: Families can meet MLA Olsen at Cusheon Lake & Fulford-Ganges Roads then ride together to Mouats Bike Park in Ganges.
10:00am: Family #GoByBike rally a Mouats Bike Park (hosted by Island Pathways) with bicycle blender smoothies, tiny scoot bike for course for wee ones, swag, and prizes.
10:30am: Minister Fleming, MLA Olsen, CRD Director Holman join cyclists at Mouats Bike Park for a Family #GoByBike rally!
11:00am-1:00pm: ASK Salt Spring public meeting at the Mouats Bike Park Meadow (160 Seaview Ave.) with Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Hon. Rob Fleming to discuss transportation and infrastructure related ideas and concerns.
Note: If you’re a cycling enthusiast, I urge you to register your rides this coming week at https://gobybikebc.ca/salt-spring-island/ to show support for safer cycling infrastructure and to qualify for some great prize draws.
Super looking forward to this Friday bikeride and opportunity to celebrate all sorts of cycling plans and recent wins for Salt Spring Island. Thanks Adam!