It’s spring – and cycling season is in full gear.
Ahhh…bicycling. Who doesn’t enjoy the freedom of pedal pushing their way around town? Living in the Fraser Valley, we’re especially fortunate to have such a great array of country roads and beautiful vistas to enjoy on our bicycles. As lawyers, though, we tend to see the other side of cycling: bad driving, bad cycling practices and bad road infrastructure not really designed for the cyclist in mind.
In fact, some of the worst crashes in terms of injuries are those involving cyclists. That’s one of the reasons why it’s so important to share the road. Our world should include all kinds of ways of getting around – let’s all try to ensure that we can safely co-exist.
Legally, in addition to the duties in s.183 of the Motor Vehicle Act, a cyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as a motor vehicle. So if you’re driving, make sure you treat a cyclist with respect – accord them their rights. If you’re cycling, make sure you cycle responsibly – ensure you’re living up to your obligations as a user of the road.
What are some ways for a cyclist to ensure their safety?
Well aside from the obvious, like wearing a helmet, make sure you obey the rules of the road. The Motor Vehicle Act says that a cyclist must “ride as near as practicable to the right side” of the road. This means that you need to stay to the right side of the road as long as it’s practical and safe to do so. Don’t ride in the middle of the lane obstructing traffic behind you. But also, don’t weave in and out of cars parked to the right side of the road – this is not safe. Instead, ensure you keep a straight line of travel throughout your journey alongside the right side of a road. Suddenly veering left out into the road to avoid a parked car you encounter can surprise a driver and cause a collision. Instead, look ahead and plan to keep roughly to a straight line of travel – even if this means that you’re cycling slightly further out to the left of the side of the road at points where there are no parked cars. As long as you stay as far to the right of the road as safe and practical, you’re obeying the law. If this safety practice were consistently heeded, it would have the potential to save many lives.
Here are some other safety tips for cyclists:
• Avoid cycling on sidewalks unless signage specifically allows for this;
• Ride single file to the right of the roadway;
• Ensure your bicycle is maintained and in a safe condition
• If you’re going through a pedestrian cross-walk, dismount your bicycle and walk through the crosswalk;
• Learn and use hand signals – each and every time you stop or make a right or left turn;
• If you have children, teach them safe cycling – better yet, enroll them in a course. And always, always wear a helmet!
How can a motorist best deal with a cyclist?
• Give a cyclist plenty of room;
• Never pass a cyclist at or near an intersection;
• Don’t “breathe down” the back of a cyclist in a narrow stretch of road;
• Don’t sound your horn at a cyclist to warn them of your approach – this can startle a cyclist and actually cause an accident;
• When parked and getting out of your vehicle – and before you open your car door – look behind you first to see if any cyclists are coming – “dooring” a cyclist can cause serious injuries;
• Be especially careful around child cyclists – give them plenty of room and slow down!
For more information about cycling in British Columbia check out the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC).
