Continuous Bicycle Route Rolls Across Nova Scotia
News Release
Government of Canada supports creation of 3000km+ “Blue Route”
Wolfville, N.S. - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Today, the first day of Nova Scotia Bike Week 2016, the Government of Canada is announcing its contribution to the development of a 3,000km+ continuous bicycle route network stretching across the province from coast, to coast, to coast. "The Blue Route," as it is being branded internationally, hugs coastlines and criss-crosses the province’s interior creating an interconnected network that will help position cycling as a tourism and active living asset for Nova Scotia.
The $799,500 (non-repayable) investment in Bicycle Nova Scotiais being made through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF). The project will create linkages between existing multi-use trails and the growing network of bike-friendly facilities being developed in towns and municipalities across the province. Specific work will include trail creation and surface upgrades; the installation of signage; marketing and promotional work including video, photography, mapping, and the development of an app for trail users; and outreach work designed to encourage communities and businesses to think "bike-friendly."
The project is also being supported by a combined investment of $340,000 from the Province of Nova Scotia through Tourism Nova Scotia and the departments of Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal and Energy. The Province will also provide a combined $2,655,000 in non-cash support over the next two years for paving work, focus groups and research.
Significant in-kind contributions have been made by the active network of trail associations across the province, and the towns and municipalities who will benefit from the completed bicycle route. Each has provided substantial support through their active transportation plans—through volunteer capacity, constructing bicycle facilities and creating trails to connect their areas to the Blue Route.
Quotes:
"Our Government is dedicated to strengthening partnerships with provinces, territories and municipalities. This project is a clear example of what can be accomplished through coordinated efforts. This work, which is equal parts locally and internationally focused, showcases the best of Nova Scotia to the world and encourages the world to come to Nova Scotia."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
"New visitors, active living and healthier, connected communities are part of a Blue Route cycle that will pay big dividends. Biking enthusiasts here at home and abroad will have an unparalleled opportunity to explore Nova Scotia as never before while helping to contribute to a cleaner environment."
- The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants
"The Blue Route project has such tremendous potential to boost tourism and unite communities through outdoor living. On behalf of the province, we’re very, very proud to be part of the partnership making this happen."
- Keith Irving, MLA for Kings South
"Through the Blue Route, Nova Scotia’s towns and municipalities are implementing their active transportation plans and making a key investment in the future of this province. By making human-powered travel, a growing movement across Canada, more accessible and attractive to all, they are improving the health and well-being of their communities and our province as a whole. What is more, through their work, our towns and municipalities are making Nova Scotia a more attractive place to come to play, pedal and enjoy."
- Cecil Clarke, President of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities and Mayor of the Cape Breton Municipality
"The Blue Route will give residents and visitors a new opportunity to experience our communities, natural beauty and culture - from Cape Breton to Yarmouth. These bikeways not only create new paths to the shops and services in our communities, they inspire healthy, active people and build enviable cycling infrastructure."
- Susanna Fuller, Co-President, Bicycle Nova Scotia
Associated Links:
Contacts:
Alex Smith
Director of Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(902) 426-9417
(902) 830-3839 (cell)
Email: alex.smith@canada.ca
Brian Taylor
Media Relations Advisor
Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal
(902) 424-1750
(902) 220-1727 (cell)
E-mail: Brian.Taylor@novascotia.ca
Susanna Fuller
Co-President
Bicycle Nova Scotia
(902) 483-5033 (cell)
Email: susannadfuller@gmail.com
Betty MacDonald
Executive Director
Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities
(902) -423-3423
Email: BMacDonald@unsm.ca
Backgrounder:
Bicycle Nova Scotia (BNS): NS is the provincial organization of cyclists in Nova Scotia. It includes commuters, mountain bikers, racers, recreational riders and elite athletes, who work together to grow cycling in Nova Scotia. The goals of BNS are to develop young athletes, collaborate with government and other organizations to make cycling safe and accessible province-wide, develop sustainable mountain bike trails and serve as the governing body for all cycling competition in the provinceThe Blue Route
The Blue Route: The Blue Route is a provincial cycling network that will connect Nova Scotia’s communities through designated cycling routes on secondary highways with paved shoulders, low traffic volume roads, hard surfaced trails, and city streets. The concept of the Blue Route is based on the award winning Route Verte in Quebec, which brings in upwards of $200M in tourism revenue each year and is seen as one of the best active transportation networks in the world. The concept for the Blue Route was first developed by Bicycle Nova Scotia in 2006. The first piece of the Blue Route was officially launched on August 6, 2015 when a 56km section of trail connecting Pictou to East Mountain (Bible Hill) was completed.
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Hon. Navdeep Singh Bains Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Transport Nature and Environment Health and Safety
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