Saving cyclists
Posted May 17, 2010 07:49:27 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
We could see a big change on Ontario roads if new proposed legislation makes its way into law. A law that could be a lot more cyclist friendly.
A New Democrat MPP plans to introduce a bill at Queen’s Park on Tuesday – intended to keep vehicles away from cyclists.
The legislation would amend the Highway Traffic Act to require vehicles to keep at least three feet away when overtaking cyclists at speeds of less than 50 kilometres-and-hour. The minimum distance increases to four feet when the vehicle is travelling at 50 to 80 kilometres-an-hour, and to five feet when vehicles are going faster than 80 kilometres-an-hour.
The proposed legislation was made more timely after a pickup truck plowed into a group of cyclists in Quebec on Friday killing three riders. But, the amendments to the Highway Traffic Act have been months in the making and are not a reaction to the Quebec accident.
About 15 States and several American cities require drivers to keep at least three feet away from cyclists. France, Spain and Germany also have similar laws in place.
In Ontario, the Highway Traffic Act currently says drivers should “turn out to the left so far as may be necessary to avoid a collision” when passing a cyclist.
