Join the Road to Reform: Protect All Road Users
Updates to BC’s Motor Vehicle Act are urgently needed to improve the safety of vulnerable road users (VRUs), including people, walking, biking and rolling.
Since the Act was introduced in 1957, much has changed in our society, including vehicle technology, the culture of speed, driver distraction, and infrastructure. There are also more people cycling and using active modes of transportation than ever before, but they are not sufficiently protected by BC laws and regulations. Additionally, two-thirds of residents cycle regularly or want to cycle for transportation, but they are held back by safety concerns. More people using active transportation will help us reach our climate action goals and provide health and affordability benefits. However, the Motor Vehicle Act was created in a time when we prioritized motor vehicles on our roads. The Act requires reform to improve the safety of vulnerable road users and to make clear expectations and accountabilities for all road users.
The BC Cycling Coalition is a member of the Road Safety Law Reform Group, whose membership also includes the HUB Cycling, health researchers, and the Trial Lawyers Association of B.C. The committee published a list of recommendations for MVA reform in 2018 and recently, in 2022, submitted a list of additional recommendations, to the Provincial government on making the law friendlier for people cycling and fairer for all.
The priorities of reform include:
clarifying the rights and duties of road users to improve understanding and compliance and reduce conflict between all road user groups
acknowledging the fundamental differences between road user groups’ capabilities and vulnerabilities and recognizing the increased risks faced by more vulnerable classes of road users
aligning the law with best practices for safer road use by vulnerable road users
reducing the likelihood of a collision involving a vulnerable road user
prioritizing enforcement of laws that target activities most likely to result in collisions, injuries and fatalities
reducing the likely severity of injuries resulting from collisions involving vulnerable road users.
Data shows that vulnerable road users are being passed by motor vehicles dangerously close one in every 17 times. Yet there is no law in BC to protect people walking, rolling, and cycling from this frequent event, although over 39 other North American jurisdictions have a safe passing distance law.
There has been some progress—the Union of BC Municipalities endorsed a motion for a Safe Passing Distance Law for all road users in 2021, as did the BC School Trustees in 2022. Government of BC staff are actively developing recommendations to reform the MVA to achieve the government’s climate action, road safety and transportation goals. However, the power to pass this into law is in the hands of the provincial government.
Join us and call on your MLA to ensure that Motor Vehicle Act reforms will be brought forward in the upcoming spring parliamentary session, and to vote YES when it comes to the legislature.