New law would make Manitoba drivers move over 1-metre when passing cyclists
MLA Dave Gaudreau’s private members bill would require Manitoba drivers to give cyclists more space
Manitoba motorists may soon have to give cyclists a wider berth on roadways.
MLA Dave Gaudreau has put forward a private members bill to require drivers to give cyclists one metre of space when passing.
Under current legislation, motorists have to keep "a safe distance" when passing cyclists.
"People say, 'I'm passing at a safe distance,' but what is that distance? People can't really tell you," said Gaudreau. "I have two kids – a son and a step-daughter and I look at myself, I'm a cyclist, and I see, sometimes, people come a little close."
Manitoba wouldn't be the first province to enforce the so-called "one-metre rule."
As Bike Winnipeg Executive Director Mark Cohoe points out, 26 states already have similar legislation, and Canadian provinces are getting on board as well.
It's in Nova Scotia and Ontario, so I think it's something we can do here as well," he said. "The law we [have currently isn't] being enforced so I think anything that can improve on that is a definite bonus."
Gaudreau said he doesn't expect officers to be out on streets with "metre sticks or tape measures," but instead, wants motorists to have a visual of the required distance when passing cyclists.
Premier Greg Selinger has called the bill a "great idea," but it will have to pass in the legislature in order to become a part of the Manitoba Highway Traffic Act.
It's a step in the right direction for cyclists, who are being passed too closely on a far-too-regular basis, Cohoe says.
He said the number of cyclists on Winnipeg streets is increasing, and infrastructure and traffic laws can help keep them safe.
Cohoe would also like to see an increase in protected bike lanes, like the one installed on Sherbrook Street in West Broadway.