What’s the issue?
Relatively few roads in B.C. have bike lanes or shoulders and many don’t have sidewalks, especially in rural areas, forcing people to share the road with high speed motor vehicle traffic. A Safer Passing Law requiring drivers to pass people cycling and walking by at least 1.5m would make roads safer and more comfortable for residents and visitors.
Who is impacted by this issue?
Commuters, recreational cyclists, tourists, electric bike commuters, and drivers are impacted by unsafe passing laws.
What is ideal?
The majority of drivers already pass people cycling and walking in a safe manner but the few that do not pose a potentially fatal risk to vulnerable road users. A Safe Passing law would help educate those that are unaware of how to pass safely and enable enforcement when needed, requiring drivers to pass people cycling and walking by at least 1.5m.
What role is the government currently playing?
Since 2001, the BC Government reports that more than $230 million has been invested cycling grants and infrastructure across the province, an average of over $14 million per year. Through B.C. on the Move, the government’s 10-year transportation plan started in 2015, the ministry committed $20 million over three years to the BikeBC municipal cost sharing program including $9.25 million in funding this year (this does not include improvements on Provincial roads and bridges). No laws, enforcement, or ongoing driver education efforts exist with regards to improving cyclist safety in BC.
The BC Green Party supports incentives and investment in infrastructure to promote sustainable transportation and discourage fossil fuel-based transportation. BC Greens also support a legal environment that encourages walking and cycling, and protects vulnerable road users
What role should the BC government play?
The BC Cycling Coalition has estimated that around $2 billion is required to complete cycling networks in B.C. communities and recommends that the Provincial Government accelerate its cycling and walking investment to $100 million per year for the next 10 years.
What’s happening in the Nelson-Creston area?
Nelson’s Path to 2040 Sustainability Strategy outlines its vision for Transportation and Mobility.
What can you do?
Email the premier John Horgan and other MLAs to let them know you support a Safer Passing Law in BC.
