Earlier this week, the Capital Regional District (CRD) received survey results which polled residents on how they move about the Greater Victoria area.
The most recent data shows that in 2022, 29% of residents use active transportation methods — cycling, walking, public transit or some combination of the three — as compared to 2017’s results of 26.6%.
The CRD hopes that by the year 2038, 45% of Greater Victoria residents will use active transportation as their primary way to commute about the city.
Despite a 9% growth in population for the whole of the CRD, the data suggests that 10% of people are not taking personal trips in a motor vehicle and opting to get around by other means.
“The data provides helpful insights into our community mobility,” said Colin Plant, CRD Board Chair.
“Walking and biking within our neighbourhoods are gaining traction, and notably, there’s a significant reduction in driving in the densely populated core.”
“It is also interesting to see that e-bikes make up 11% of all adult bikes but account for 30% of all bike trips,” Plant added
The rise in e-bike usage has been prolific in the last handful of years and the continuous addition and renovation to the CRD’s bike lane network has been a large factor in this rise.
The rise in numbers of people who are able to work from home also contributed heavily to these statistics, with several people not having to commute at all in their day-to-day routine.
The CRD says that this information is beneficial to guide them as they continue to work on and expand the active transportation network as well as how they navigate potential climate action and affordability for Greater Victoria residents.
“This information can help us collaborate with local governments, agencies, and the province to develop effective transportation strategies that support the needs of our diverse communities,” Plant said.
“By assessing the data, we can track our progress toward regional transportation goals and gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping travel behaviours,” he added.
Do you feel like this survey accurately reflects the commuting patterns of Greater Victoria? Let us know in the comments!
