HUB Cycling Calls for More Driver and Police Education to Protect Vulnerable Road Users

A man and a woman ride their bikes side by side on a residential road. Cars are parked on both sides of the road.

 

The recent news story by Global TV involving a collision between a person cycling and a motor vehicle driver on a neighbourhood bike route last year has brought to light critical failures in the interpretation and enforcement of B.C.’s vulnerable road user law. This interpretation of law raises concerns about the protection of all vulnerable road users, including people cycling, walking, rolling or using wheelchairs, and others who rely on safe streets.

Despite the law requiring people driving vehicles to maintain a minimum passing distance of 1 meter in urban areas and 1.5 meters on highways, as per the news story, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) determined that the person cycling was partially at fault for the crash, suggesting they should have moved into gaps between parked cars to allow the vehicle to pass. Weaving around parked vehicles is not safe;  people cycling are taught to maintain a straight line. This interpretation contradicts the intent of the law, which is designed to prioritize the safety of those using non-motorized forms of transportation.

Additionally, legal professionals incorrectly claimed that people cycling cannot fully occupy a lane, further fueling misconceptions that endanger vulnerable road users. B.C. laws explicitly allow cyclists to use the full width of a lane when necessary for safety, ensuring adequate space between vehicles and preventing dangerous overtaking maneuvers.

The minimum passing distance is measured from the furthest protruding part of a passing motor vehicle (e.g. a mirror) and the furthest protruding part of a vulnerable road user or their equipment (e.g. handlebar). As per the new rules for safe driving (effective June 3, 2024), drivers must:

  • Always take proper precautions around cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users on a public road
  • Keep a safe distance when passing vulnerable road users
  • It is an offence to fail to take proper precautions or to fail to provide the required minimum safe passing distances.

Police can also issue violation tickets and fines for contraventions of the new vulnerable road user safety laws. Penalties range from:

  • Failing to take proper precautions with vulnerable road users - $109 and 3 driver penalty points.
  • Failing to maintain prescribed minimum passing distances - $368 and 3 driver penalty points.
  • To a maximum fine of $2,000 and 6 months of imprisonment.

The lack of proper enforcement and public education has led to gaps in accountability, leaving injured crash victims without proper recourse. While the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) covered physiotherapy and medical treatment costs for the victim, broader systemic issues remain unresolved, such as ensuring drivers are held accountable when failing to respect legally mandated safe passing distances.


“ICBC must ​​provide comprehensive training programs that focus on the unique challenges and hazards vulnerable road users face,” said Rose Gardner, HUB Cycling’s Executive Director. “Further education will equip people driving vehicles with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate shared road spaces more safely. This includes understanding the dynamics of bicycle movements, recognizing the importance of safe passing distances, and being aware of high-risk areas such as intersections and bike lanes.”


This incident highlights an urgent need for:

  • Clearer enforcement and accountability from law enforcement to uphold safe passing laws.
  • Public education initiatives to ensure drivers understand the rights of people biking and other vulnerable road users.
  • Stronger policy protections that prevent legal misinterpretations from undermining safety measures.

People walking, cycling, rolling using wheelchairs, and mobility device users deserve roads designed for safety, not uncertainty. Advocacy groups and concerned citizens call on the Province of British Columbia and ICBC to take immediate action in reinforcing safe passing laws and ensuring proper support for vulnerable road users affected by negligence.
 

1 B.C. Govt Press Release: New rules will protect vulnerable road users