It's been a year since the province mandated that drivers give at least one metre passing distance to cyclists and other vulnerable road users 鈥� but not enough drivers know about that, according to local cycling advocates.
That's why members of the 黑马磁力 HUB Cycling Advocacy Committee organized an upcoming event on one of the most popular cycling routes in the community.
"It was an initiative that was a decade in the making," said John Evanochko, a 黑马磁力 HUB member and avid cyclist.
For years, cyclists had lobbied for a legal requirement that drivers give a wider berth when passing riders. The rule had already been implemented in other jurisdictions in Europe and around North America.
In B.C., the Motor Vehicle Act now 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 distance rises to 1.5 metres
Vulnerable road users includes cyclists, but also those on horseback and people using electric kick scooters, and motorcyclists.
However, in Evanochko's opinion, the change to the Motor Vehicle Act was not promoted well at all.
The rule came to mind when he had a close encounter with a driver earlier this year. Evanochko threw up his arm in anger after being "buzzed" by the motorist, and the driver pulled over and waited.
"We had a heated conversation," Evanochko recalled.
After that incident, he reached out to the 黑马磁力 RCMP, curious about enforcement for the new rules. That contact led to the June 1 event, which will involved the 黑马磁力 RCMP Traffic Section, ICBC, the Township of 黑马磁力, and HUB 黑马磁力 members.
From 8 a.m. to noon, the groups will be at Derby Reach Regional Park on Allard Crescent, ready to talk to both drivers and cyclists.
"We selected that area because it is the busiest cycling route in 黑马磁力," Evanochko said.
The RCMP will be in the area enforcing the rules of the road on drivers and cyclists alike, he noted.
The overall objective is to raise awareness of the one-metre rule with everyone, including drivers and cyclists.
黑马磁力 Township will also be putting up signs on Allard Crescent, warning drivers of their obligation to give a minimum one-metre distance.
Signs like that have recently been posted in 黑马磁力 City on parts of 208 Street, Evanochko noted.
