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Modernizing the British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act
Road Safety Law Reform Group of BC
Photo: Ken Ohrn
BC Motor Vehicle Act passed in 1957, with motorists in mind
First proposal, rename act to • include all road users• clarify focus on safety
“Road Safety Act”
Background on traffic safety& cycling in British Columbia
2.6
7.4
1.0
2.2
4.0
0.2
1.3
1.6
0.2
0.2
Sweden
Netherlands
UK
British Columbia
Deaths per 100 million km: BC vs. best international
“vulnerable road users”
Greater injuryreductions for driving than walking & cycling(now 25% of all traffic deaths)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015
Traffic deaths in BC, 25-year period
drivers & passengers -62%
pedestrians -27%
cyclists 0%
Cycling is more common than many people realize
3.92.7
2.21.8
1.611.1
6.36.1
4.13.7
3.63.0
2.62.5
2.01.8
1.71.6
1.41.31.3
1.21.1
1.01.0
MontréalToronto
SaskatoonWinnipeg
CalgaryVictoriaSaanich
VancouverSquamishKelowna
CourtenayPentictonLangford
North VancouverCranbrook
NanaimoWest VancouverCampbell River
VernonChilliwackRichmondKamloops
BurnabyNew Westminster
Prince George
% commuting by bikeselected cities2016 Census
BC averages2.5% cycling
6.8% walking
Canadian averages1.4% cycling
5.5% walking
Proposed changesWhy?
Aims of reform• clarify rights & duties of road users
to improve understanding & reduce conflict
• align law with best practices & new infrastructure
• acknowledge differences in road user vulnerabilities à higher risks faced by people on foot & bike
• reduce crash likelihood & injury severity for people on foot or bike
• motivate rather than deter active travel
Aims of reform• align with other BC road safety
initiatives
à BC Road Safety Strategy
Photo: Ken Ohrn
25 recommendations for reform, based on• legislative history in BC & elsewhere• jurisprudence & case studies• scientific evidence on injuries & injury
reduction
Photo: Ken Ohrn
25 recommendationsSection 1. Change the Name of the ActSection 2. Amend Rules of General Application
Classification of road users Definition of a cycle Motor assisted cycle Due care & attention/reasonable considerationMunicipal speed limitsDefault speed limit on local streets
Section 3. Add Rules to Improve Cyclist Safety “The same rights & duties as the operator of a vehicle” Safe passing distance “As far to the right as is practicable” Passing on the rightRights of way Roundabouts & traffic circlesRed traffic arrowsRail tracks & cattleguards Following too closely Riding abreastRiding on or astride the seat Signaling by the operator of a cycleSeizure of cycle
Section 4. Add Rules for Cyclist-Pedestrian SafetySidewalks Access to cyclist or pedestrian controlled traffic signals Crosswalks
Section 5. Add Fines for Violations that Threaten Vulnerable Road UsersDooring Obstruction of a travel lane designated for the use of cycles
bikehub.ca/sites/default/files/modernizing_the_bc_motor_vehicle_act.pdf
1. Safe passing & following distances
Safety evidence• rule for following distance only for
“vehicles” in MVA• 40% US cycling deaths rear-
ends
• no guidance on passing distances • evidence shows they are lower in
more dangerous conditions• higher vehicle speeds & traffic• vehicles in opposing direction• heavy vehicles
Our proposal• include cycles in following
distance rules• add passing distance rules
à at least 1 m at ≤ 50 km/h à at least 1.5 m at > 50 km/h
Other juridictions• passing distance laws in more
than 27 NA jurisdictions
2. Roundabouts, traffic circles
Safety evidence• Vancouver / Toronto study
• 8-fold higher risk at traffic circles compared to other local street intersections
• half of injuries in collisions with MVs, where driver & cyclist didn’t know who should go first
Our proposal• currently: “driver must drive to
right of island” • proposal
à yield to traffic in circleà counter-clockwise travel
directionà standardized signage to
indicate right of way
Burnaby traffic circle signageVancouver traffic circle signage
3. Dooring
Safety evidence
• our study: 10% of injuries to cyclists
• 15% of car-bike collisions in ICBC data – most common crash type
Ghost bike in remembrance of 38 year old Kelowna mother who died after dooring crash
Our proposal• make clear that staying wide
of car doors is legal• raise to equal fine for
distracted driving: $368
Other juridictions• Ontario fine is $365 plus 3
demerit points, potential for fine up to $1000
4. Bike lane obstruction
[Sources: Teschke et al, 2012; Harris et al, 2013]
Safety & health evidence
Busy street with painted bike lane • obstruction a major issue• not as safe as separated
bike lane• not a cycling motivator
Our proposal• Currently no basis to fine
for bike lane obstruction in MVA … ($121 for blocking roads)
Other jurisdictions• Ontario $150 fine for
blocking bike lane
5. Neighbourhood speed limits - 30 km/h
Reduced crash riskvia increased peripheral vision
Graphics: World Resources Institute
Reduced crash riskvia reduced stopping distances
Graphic: World Resources Institute
If there is a crash, reduced crash forces
30 km/h =1 storey fall
50 km/h =3 storey fall
70 km/h =6 storey fall
90 km/h =10 storey fall
Fall height with same force as being struck by an MV at given speed
If there is a crash, reduced injury severity
Graphic: HUB Your cycling Connection
London results“20 is plenty”= 32 km/h
• 42% fewer injuries
• children: 50% fewer serious injuries & deaths
Photo: Evening Standard
Many major cities already adopting lower city speed limits …
Edinburgh, Paris, Barcelona, New York City Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany
Public support?
• CAA poll: 94% think speeds on residential streets too fast
• Toronto poll: 81% will trade lower limits for safety
Our study: most already drive slowerà 37 km/h = 85th %ileà 31 km/h = 50th %ile
Official support?• Provincial Health Officer’s 2016
Report
• Survey of 83 BC municipal transport personnel:
#1 safety issue = speed
Infrastructure measures supporting 30 km/h
La Jolla road diet success
Speeds 40-45 à19 mph Traffic crashes 90 %
Motor vehicle traffic stableWalking, bicycling, transit
Retail sales 30 % Noise levels 77 %
Photos: www.cnu.org/publicsquare/2018/01/10/road-diet-bridges-barrier-boosts-safety
Photo: Ken Ohrn
Photos: Marrickville Greens, Google Streetview
Raised crossings = 1/2 crash risk
Photo: Alternative Dept for Transport
clearly signals right of waysignals that you are entering lower speed zone
Raised crossings = 1/2 crash risk
We welcome your supportfor a new Road Safety Act
Photo: Ken Ohrn
@kteschkeCycling in Cities UBC
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