NDP wants to make guard rails on trucks mandatory

The NDP is promising to table a private member's bill that would force large trucks to install side guards to protect cyclists.

Alexandre Boulerice, MP for the riding of Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, said the recent death of a 24-year-old Montreal cyclist demonstrates the need for additional safety measures.

The death of a 23-year-old cyclist in Ottawa on Thursday also prompted calls for guard rails to be mandatory in Ontario. 

• Cyclist struck, killed by truck at Laurier intersection ID'd as Nusrat Jahan
• Ghost bike ceremony remembers cyclist Justine Charland St-Amour

Boulerice acknowledged the guards don't prevent collisions themselves, but do prevent cyclists from being dragged underneath heavy vehicles. 

"It's a measure that exists in many European countries and works," he told Radio-Canada on Friday. "It saves lives. It's more than time." 

Liberals supported measure in 2014 

Guard rails have been advocated by a number of authorities across the country. Ontario's chief coroner recommended them in 2012 after reviewing cyclist fatalities in the province.

Many Montreal municipal trucks already have the rails. A group of Halifax councilors recently voted for the city to follow suit. 

• Side guards one step closer to being installed on Halifax trucks

The NDP tabled a similar bill in 2014. It was defeated by the Conservative majority at the time, but enjoyed support from the Liberals. 

Now that the Liberals are in power, Boulerice is hopeful they can still be counted on to support the measures. 

"I'm anxious to see how they will respond now that they are in government," he said.