The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is developing an Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP) for Area B, Cortes Island.
Our goal is to make it easier and safer for people to:
Walk
Cycle
Roll (e.g., wheelchair, skateboard, scooter, stroller, etc.)
Key Benefits for the Community
Better Health: Walking, biking, and other active ways of getting around help improve both physical and mental well-being.
More Affordable Travel: Active transportation offers low-cost options to moving around the island.
Cleaner Environment: Fewer car trips mean less pollution and better air quality for everyone.
Stronger Connections: Safer routes help people of all ages and abilities stay connected to the places and people they care about.
We’re working to make it easier and safer for everyone to walk, bike, or roll to places like schools, parks, and shops by improving paths, crossings, and connections.
Get Involved
In the first round of engagement, we heard about the challenges faced when trying to walk, cycle, and roll around Cortes Island, as well as ideas to make doing so a bit easier, safer, and more enjoyable. We’ve summarized your comments into a Background report and a What We Heard report, and have seeked your input to prioritize potential projects.
Project Background
The Active Transportation Network Plan is a project led by the Strathcona Regional District to help people get around the island more easily. With funding from the Province of British Columbia’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program, part of the CleanBC strategy, the plan will support safer, more accessible ways to walk, bike, roll, and even paddle across Cortes Island.
FAQs
Cortes Island faces unique transportation challenges, including limited roads, ferry access, and spread-out communities. This plan will:
Build on existing trails and natural routes
Explore new ways of getting around, like shared pathways and paddle routes
Reflect the needs and ideas of residents, visitors, and First Nations through past and current community engagement opportunities
A complete map of active transportation routes and amenities
A prioritized list of projects to improve walking, biking, and rolling
One high-priority project ready for construction
A long-term strategy to support health, sustainability, and climate resilience
When you use your power to get from one place to another, you are travelling by ‘active transportation’. Active transportation includes walking, cycling, and rolling (e.g., wheelchairs, skateboards, scooters, strollers, rollerblades).
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An active transportation network includes features such as sidewalks, shared pathways, stairs, and sometimes streets that have been made safer for walking and biking. These are all parts of the built environment that help people get around without a car—whether they’re walking, biking, or using a mobility device.
