By CKPG Today

Transportation

Victoria announces new rules to protect cyclists and other vulnerable road users

Apr 5, 2024 | 6:37 AM

VICTORIA — Good news for cyclists and other vulnerable road users.

The provincial government’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has added protections for them under the law with safe passing distances rules for drivers.

The new law is among several updates to the Motor Vehicles Act coming into effect to enhance safety and promote cleaner and active transportation.

Victoria says the amendments will enhance safety for vulnerable road users, including cyclists and pedestrians. The changes are part of the Province’s commitment to promote the transition toward increased active transportation and cleaner transportation technologies.

“These new regulations will keep people safer on our roads and encourage even more use of public transportation,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming.

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“It’s another step in modernizing our rules to keep up with new technologies that are changing how people are getting around.”

Changes include new regulations for passing distances, e-bikes, mobility devices and autonomous vehicles.

Safe passing distance regulations:
New regulations require drivers to take precautions when interacting with vulnerable road users. The changes establish a new minimum distance of one metre that drivers must maintain when passing cyclists and other vulnerable road users. That distance increases to 1.5 meters on highways with a posted speed limit above 50 km/h.

Creation of a new light class of e-bikes:
People 14 and older will be able to use a new class of e-bikes with age-appropriate safety precautions, including less power, lower maximum speeds and motors that only operate with pedalling.

Regulations regarding mobility devices:
Introducing clarifications to the regulatory framework for mobility devices. Regulations will clarify that the device is an extension of the person, who is already a pedestrian under the Motor Vehicle Act.

Framework for automated vehicles:
Regulations bring into force a prohibition against operation of fully automated self-driving vehicles unless provincially authorized.

The changes come into effect on June 3, 2024.

Coinciding with these changes is the Province’s new detailed safety study for electric kick scooters. The safety review will start on April 5, 2024, and run for four years.