Although they may be unpopular with some Victoria residents, the new bike lanes have earned the City of Victoria an award from the Community Energy Association of British Columbia.
They may not be popular with a large number of area residents -- but Victoria's bike lanes have received an award from the Community Energy Association of British Columbia.
Mayor Lisa Helps brought the award back from the recent Union of BC Municipalities convention ,saying "It felt like receiving the Stanley Cup, cause it was a giant award, and it actually, I've never been in this experience before before, it had it's own suitcase. A big padded suitcase to make sure it's safe getting back to Victoria. And it is for community planning with regard to climate change "
Helps says the award is recognition of good planning and "future-proofing" the city in terms of climate change which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10,000 tonnes a year.
While there has been much criticism of the cost, business disruption and loss of parking surrounding the project, Helps says the award validates that the city is headed in the right direction.