The City of North Vancouver wants BC to create a law that would require a car driver to keep a minimum distance from a bike and a pedestrian.
The resolution by the City of North Vancouver council asks UBCM to request the province to amend the Motor Vehicle Act to better support safe active transportation.
Such a law will require drivers to provide 1 metre of space at speeds 50 km/h or less, and 1.5 metres of space at speeds in excess of 50 km/h, when passing people cycling or walking.
CNV endorsed the resolution at its regular council meeting on June 21.
The resolution states that while BC encourages cycling and walking, relatively few roads in BC have bike lanes or shoulders, and many do not have sidewalks, forcing cyclists and pedestrians to share roads with high-speed motor vehicle traffic.
CNV council also notes in its resolution that over 40 jurisdictions across North America, including the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, have all enacted “safe passing distance” legislations.
These legislations are designed to protect vulnerable road users by requiring motor vehicle operators to maintain a minimum distance when passing vulnerable road users, thus creating a better understanding of and expectation for road safety.
If the lines are such that the bike or car cant go to the line at the last minute making the distance between drivers and riders change, this would be best. Where there is a bike lane then sidewalk then parking then 2 driving lanes is when I feel safest when I ride. there was a time the Municipalities owned the first 20 ish feet after the sidewalk and if this was still the case there would be plenty of space for all, but alas I see housing so close to the sidewalk or roadway that we lack the room. Hoping we can think ahead to save the space for the safety of all.
Happy to see this especially since 2 weeks ago today, a car played tag with me. Luckily I regained control before falling into the path of the next car. No damage to my bike and only a deep dime size cut to my hand that bled profusely. I heard the mirror snap back into place, i hope the driver did not aster car didn’t stop.
When cyclists start being licensed and pay for insurance (like all other “road users”) then we can have a discussion about other issues.
There should actually be a road user safety course that a cyclist must pass before being allowed on the roads. At least then they’ll have an understanding of the laws that they must follow.