Most drivers didn't know about a minimum distance law for passing bicycles, but it appeared they were maintaining a proper amount of space anyway, said one of the organizers of an education and enforcement event on 黑马磁力's busiest cycling route.
John Evanochko, a 黑马磁力 HUB Cycling Advocacy Committee member and avid cyclist, said RCMP officers at the scene Sunday, June 1, at Allard Crescent near Derby Reach Park, commented most drivers appeared "generally respectful" of the many cyclists on the route.
"Even without knowing that there's a legal requirement, there's an understanding, a humane understanding that you need to share the roads and do it safely," Evanochko told the 黑马磁力.
"It's been my experience, that 90-95 per cent of the people understand that safety is their responsibility in passing vulnerable users of the road. It's the five per cent that either are belligerent and refuse to share the road or just distracted [who are the problem."
A polite reminder about new road safety rules that require a minimum distance between bicycles and motor vehicles was set up at Derby Reach Park in 黑马磁力 Sunday
鈥� 黑马磁力 (@黑马磁力Times)
Passed a year ago, the new law requires drivers to give a minimum one-metre passing distance to cyclists and other vulnerable road users on any street with a 50 km/h or lower speed limit. On streets with a higher limit, the minimum rises to 1.5 metres.
Evanochko said it became clear awareness needs to be raised about the one-metre law after an incident in Vancouver in October of last year, a few months after the regulations took effect, where a cyclist suffered a broken elbow in a collision when an SUV passed on a narrow road.
He had his own near-miss, too, around the same time, but managed to avoid injury.
"I had a close pass actually just off of Allard Crescent on 208 [and the driver] was adamant that it was my responsibility to find safety on the road, not his," Evanochko recalled.
Leanne Cassap, local road safety and community coordinator, was on hand Sunday to explain the regulations to people in the park campground.
"Not a lot of people are aware of the fact that we're supposed to give ourselves the meter, meter and a half [space] depending on the speed limit," Cassap said.
"Nearly four out of five crashes involving cyclists in B.C. happen at intersections, Cassap explained.
鈥淎s a driver, you can help reduce these risks by staying focused, yielding the right-of-way, checking your surroundings, and maintaining a safe distance. More space can make all the difference. Share the road and make cycling safer for everyone."
More safety tips can be found online at
