A new initiative by the provincial government is aiming to encourage British Columbians to use cleaner, more active methods of transportation.

The strategy, dubbed “Move. Commute. Connect.”, is part of the province’s CleanBC plan to help transform how people travel in a way to reduce pollution.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena says the new strategy will make “communities cleaner and more liveable”.

“Active transportation is good for our health, environment, and communities,” Trevena said in a statement. “For years, people have been asking for better, more healthy options to get around. We’ve listened, and we’re talking new steps to help people move, commute, and connect easily and safely.”

Through the new plan, the B.C. government aims to double the percentage of trips taken with active transportation in the province by 2030.

B.C. Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman says that by persuading people to use active transportation, the government is aiming to reduce the carbon footprint.

“Our government is focused on protecting the environment and working in partnership with communities to improve our walking, cycling, and other active networks,” Heyman said in a news release. “By making it easier for people to move around our communities using active transportation, we cut down on carbon pollution and help make life better for people.”

The provincial government is hoping to inspire British Columbians with incentives to choose active transportation by providing ride-learning programs, building active transportation systems such as new bike lanes, and creating policies to support active transportation networks around the province.

The strategy is the result of a provincewide consultation in which British Columbians were asked to provide feedback on ways the province can support communities to improve active transportation linkage between neighbourhoods, transit facilities, and town centres.

“We all have a part to play in protecting our environment, and for more and more people, that means walking, cycling, skateboarding or using scooters to get where they are going,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, NDP MLA for Vancouver-West End.

“Let’s work together towards creating community-specific active transportation networks that are safe, affordable, accessible, and convenient for people of all ages and abilities,” Chandra Herbert added.

Right now, only 2.5 percent of trips in B.C. are taken by bikes.

According to the 2016 census, “active transportation”, which is defined as walking or cycling to work, was used by 9.1 percent in the central metropolitan area of Vancouver in 2015.