How your voice can support a Safe Passing law in BC

Riding a bike is enjoyable, efficient, and for most of us often exhilarating.  We have all had moments of great freedom while out riding.

But sometimes sharing the road with cars can add moments of anxiety and risk. 

One of the most frightening experiences on a bike is that ‘near-miss’ when a driver zips past you on a city road, so close you can feel the breeze as it goes by. Or a vehicle buzzing right past your shoulder on a narrow highway at 90km/hr.  This needs to change.

That’s why the BC Cycling Coalition has long pushed for the BC Government to establish a minimum passing distance of 1.5 metres on all roadways and highways. Earlier this year, we launched a campaign to promote and build support for a Safe Passing Law. 

Next week, mayors and councillors across BC will vote on a resolution in support of a Safe Passing Law in BC. The motion will be ‘on the floor’ next Wednesday, September 15th at the annual meeting of Union of BC Municipalities, sponsored by the City of North Vancouver. It’s an important step to further convince the provincial government to amend the Motor Vehicle Act to establish a minimum passing distance law in BC.  

However, getting mayors and councillors on board is not a sure thing. They need to hear that road safety matters - especially from voices in their community .

Here are two things you can do to help ensure a positive vote next week!:

1. Contact your local mayor or city councillor. Explain the importance of road safety in your community, and the real risks to vulnerable road users - primarily people on foot and bikes. 

2. Remind them of the upcoming UBCM resolution on Safe Passing Distance and, ask them as your representative, to support the resolution on Wednesday, September 15

Five Canadian provinces have safe passing laws are on the books (Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec). So do 35 other jurisdictions in North America. These governments recognize that a minimum distance for motor vehicles to pass a person walking or cycling—typically between 1 and 1.5 metres (3-5 feet)—would protect people and save lives.

In British Columbia, we should expect the same from our provincial government - and garnering support from local elected officials in one way to get us there.  

Let’s make our voice heard to help improve road safety for everyone in British Columbia.

Learn more here about the BCCC campaign and research on Safe Passing laws