Victoria's controversial bike lanes are getting a big thumbs up from a U.S. author who says "bicycling can save the economy."
Elly Blue an author from Portland recently visited Victoria, she feels strongly that bike lanes are better for business.
This at a time when some Victoria business owners have gone on record saying they don't feel the Fort Street cycle lanes will be good for their businesses.
Elly believes they will change their minds once they see the longer term impact. "They don't solve every problem but they do make cycling more attractive and make people feel safer and like they could do it too. The effect is exponential and it snowballs. You want to have the infrastructure there to keep the tourists safe and keep the tourists shopping."
Victoria has just given the green light to the Fort Street bike lanes, construction is expected to start in September.
The Pandora Bike lanes opened last month.