Beginning on Monday, June 3rd, BC drivers must keep their distance from cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, or else risk a hefty fine or even jail time.
The BC government says they announced these new rules in order to make it easier for roadways to be shared amongst those utilizing active transportation methods for their commutes.
According to the new legislation, drivers must stay at least one metre away from all cyclists, pedestrians as well as other vulnerable road users, including electric kick scooter riders, electric wheelchairs and those in mobility scooters.
These new rules are meant to protect these road users while vehicles are trying to pass them.
In addition to protection from passing vehicles, the Province says that vulnerable road users need space because of uneven road surfaces such as sewers and potholes, road debris, puddles, ice, snow, the door zone of parked vehicles and other active transportation users crossing their paths.
Specifically, while passing these road users, the new legislation states drivers must keep a minimum of distance of:
- One metre on roadways with speeds of 50 km/h or less
- One-and-a-half metres on roadways with speeds of 51 km/h or more
- Half a metre on roadways with separated or protected bike lanes
The Province says these distances are to be measured from the furthest protruding part of a passing motor vehicle, to the furthest protruding part of a vulnerable road user or their equipment.
In the case of a car passing a cyclist, this could be measured from the side view mirror to the bike’s handlebar.
Police are now able to issue tickets to drivers who do not adhere to the new rules.
These fines could include a $109 fine and three driver penalty points for failing to take proper precautions, a $368 fine and three driver penalty points for failing to maintain passing distances or a maximum of a $2,000 fine and two years imprisonment.
The announcement of these fines line up with the beginning of Go By Bike Week, a week-long event all across BC to encourage motorists to try biking to work for a week for their own health as well as to reduce traffic congestion on local roadways.
