Zoom Zoom Bowen. Scooter Rentals. Proposal for BIM Land Use Bylaw (3.3.5) Amendment

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1 Zoom Zoom Bowen Scooter Rentals Proposal for BIM Land Use Bylaw (3.3.5) Amendment

2 Transportation issues on Bowen Island Limited public transport bus service with limited routes and timing Very limited private transport no taxi service limited van/carpool programs Access Poor accessibility limited parking limited bus routes high ferry prices isolated residences / accommodations isolated resources (Snug Cove) Access

3 Bowen Tourism Industry / Economy Who is impacted? Bowen Tourism, Environment, Economy and Local Community Members Bowen restaurants / businesses Accommodations / B&Bs Local community members excessive car use in high tourist season = noise and air pollution, ferry overloads commuting and transportation issues accessing concentrated resources

4 A solution? Scooter rentals for: Visitors to Bowen Bowen residents courier services local transport Low-impact Affordable Flexible Usage

5 Feedback Will this really benefit us? B&B Survey Of the 21/32 B&B owners across the island who replied to a survey asking, Would scooter rentals benefit your guests and your business?, 100% responded positively. Tourist Office The Bowen tourism office claims that inquiries about scooter rentals occur daily during peak season (May to August) A 2008 study found that 65% of Bowen Island residents agreed they would like to see revenue from tourism increase. (Excerpt from OCP, Section 10) Local shops Local shop owners have reported that tourists often ask about scooter rentals and transportation options. Facebook Through an introductory Facebook contact page, ZZB receives approximately 2-3 calls per week from tourists asking about scooter rental availability.

6 Zoom Zoom Bowen: Supporting the OCP OCP Section 4 Towards a Sustainable Future: Transportation and Mobility On-island, the predominant form of transportation is private vehicles, necessary to access on-island services and facilities, which are primarily located in or near Snug Cove Village. Travel on-island represents the island s third largest source of GHG emissions. Excerpt from OCP (Section 4) Zoom Zoom Bowen scooter rentals will: provide safe and efficient transportation that meets the needs of residents and visitors. (Section 4.2, Objective 99) offer an alternative form of transportation to reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions created by private vehicle use. (see Section 4.2, Objective 101) and an additional transportation system and services which has low environmental impact.(see Section 4.2, Objective 102) By supporting Zoom Zoom Bowen, the Municipality is upholding its objective(s) to: To promote multi-modal forms of transportation across the island linking neighbourhoods with each other, to local parks and beaches, and to Snug Cove. (Section 4.4, Objective 110) Policy 247: The Municipality will complete an Active Transportation Plan that promotes multi-modal transportation systems. Policy 248: The Municipality will consider undertaking a feasibility study for a potential made-on-bowen public transportation system that serves the island unique transportation needs, including seniors, school children and commuters.

7 Supporting the OCP (continued...) OCP Section 6 Towards a Sustainable Future: Public Recreation ZZB s vision is in accordance with the OCP s objective to develop and maintain public access in selected natural areas, parks, shorelines, beaches, trails and viewpoints for recreational and educational purposes that support community health and wellness, as well as low impact ecotourism opportunities. (Section 6.2, Objective 137) OCP Section 10 Towards a Sustainable Future: Island Economy Bowen hosts visitors who come here year-round to learn, to heal, to rejuvenate, to explore, and to escape. We have the location, natural beauty and the opportunity to become a model of soft tourism that is highly profitable to the community but very light on the land... Tourism Bowen, October 2009 Zoom Zoom Bowen will support economic development by providing effective transport options for day visitors and B&B guests, increasing accessibility to local shops, and employing the local community. Zoom Zoom Bowen support s the OCPs objectives to support Bowen s Economic Development and To work toward an island economy that is relatively diverse and increasingly sustainable and innovative, meeting many of the primary needs of residents and visitors. (Section 10.2, Objective 169) To foster the creation and maintenance of local employment in island-based sustainable activities. (Section 10.2, Objective 171) To support cultural tourism, aiming for value-added products that maximize return with minimal impacts. (Section 10.2, Objective 176)

8 Supporting the OCP (continued...) Zoom Zoom Bowen makes access to Tourist Services and Accommodations, Institutions and Retreats easier and greener and supports the OCP s goals: To recognize tourism as an integral part of the island economy, with a focus on sustainable practices. (Section 10, Objective 180) To support opportunities to nurture the further development of low-impact tourism. (Section 10, Objective 181) To continue to position the island as a destination for eco- tourism, education tourism, retreats, and health and wellness centres. (Section 10, Objective 182) To recognize health and wellness institutions and retreats as a desirable business sector and to support the growth of this sector. (Section 10, Objective 185) Policy 425: Owners of the accommodations identified in Policy 424 (bed and breakfast establishments, guesthouses, small inns, lodges, and commercial cottages) are encouraged to provide guest transportation to and from the ferry terminal in order to minimize vehicle use. But then what? Zoom Zoom Bowen Economic sustainability goes hand in hand with environmental sustainability... to become more self-sufficient: to depend on local resources, reduce the need for imports... and enhance opportunities for local enterprise. Bowen Island Improvement Association, October 2009

9 The scooters: Yamaha BWS, Zuma & Vino low-impact 4-stroke 49cc engine = more fuel efficient, quieter and cleaner than older 2-stroke engines mpg = extremely low fuel consumption. We estimate that even with heavy use these scooters will cost just $50/month in gas. Example: A Toyota Prius gets up to 50 mpg kms/hr = low noise emissions (The average car generates approx. 50 db and a diesel truck about 70 db)

10 Affordable & flexible Competitive hourly/daily rental rates Zoom Zoom Bowen plans to offer $75/day and $120/weekend for 1 and 2 seater bikes. (the average daily rate in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Galiano is $94.00) Flexible and accessible Delivered anywhere / anytime (to the Snug Cove ferry landing, B&Bs, and various Bowen docks for boaters) Simple courier fees and taxi fares (TBD) All insurance & equipment provided (Commercially insured and adhering to industry safety standards )

11 improved low-impact transport options for island visitors The results sustainable economic growth for local businesses and B&Bs a step closer to a sustainable transport model for Bowen residents raised profile of Bowen as tourist destination local natural destinations more accessible improved community-wide connections

12 The Zoom Zoom Bowen Timeline: Now - Feb Research community and business surveys market research legal research identify issues/ barriers marketing strategies Develop Business Systems develop ZZB booking systems Initial marketing March - Sept Official Launch (March 2016) Phase 1: Tourist bookings and B&B deliveries only Phase 2: Local transport option for commuters refine systems refine marketing strategies Sept Spring 2017 Expand & Grow develop and prepare for spring launch of Phase 3: Courier Network explore possibility of RideShare scooter systems expand fleet

13 The Barrier: BIM Land Use Bylaw (3.3.5) PROHIBITED USES OF LAND, BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES 3.3 The following uses are prohibited in all zones, except as otherwise specifically stated in this Bylaw:.5 Rental of personal watercraft, all terrain vehicles, motorcycles or limited speed motorcycles; Request: We ask that BIMTAC make an immediate recommendation to Council to amend the Land Use Bylaw to allow the rental of limited speed motorcycles (by February 2016) to support economic and community development on Bowen in accordance with the OCP.