Advocacy Update - October 2023
ICBC, BC Ferries, Cycle Tourism, E-bike Rebates, and Bill 23
BCCC has been very busy over the summer, speaking to senior leaders within ICBC, BC Ferries, and the BC Government. We will continue to have meaningful dialogue and support positive changes that support improvements to communities across BC.
Advocacy Work with ICBC
As everyone knows, ICBC’s Enhanced Care coverage still confuses many as to their coverage and rights. Note that we encourage any riders who require legal advice in these matters to reach out for legal advice if required. What BCCC has focused on letting ICBC know of gaps in their current system – from medical support to faster turn-around for damage or replacement on bikes. We are happy to update that ICBC has been very receptive to change, and have heard how their current system has some improvements to make regarding how vulnerable road users are treated within the Enhances Care system – and they want to change.
Over the past year, BC Cycling Coalition, HUB Cycling and ICBC have met and worked together with a goal to improve the claims experience for cyclists. Here is summary of ICBC improvements for cyclists from these ongoing joint efforts:
March 2022:
ICBC established a cross divisional committee that made improvements to its subrogation policy when supporting claims involving a vulnerable road user customer.
May 2023:
ICBC made improvements to its Call Center phone options to enhance the customer experience when reporting a claim for both bike damage and injury. This allows ICBC to differentiate these calls and better support customers based on the claim. Initial contact calls are now expedited with these customers.
June - August 2023:
ICBC upskilled Claims Adjusters on supporting of cyclist claims, with a focus on standardization and a better understanding of cycling equipment and determining values for a variety of bikes.
ICBC enhanced customer communications by creating new and updated customer letters.
ICBC clarified the public and internal roles of their Recovery Specialists and Claims Adjusters for cyclist claims to:
Ensure that each area understood their specific roles and responsibilities and how that should be communicated to customers.
Emphasize the importance of explaining the reasoning behind the two claim numbers to ICBC cyclist customers and how it affects them (one claim for Injury, one claim for bike damage).
August — October 2023:
ICBC made improvements for cyclists to ICBC.com that include:
Improved language around what a cyclist can expect if they’re in a crash with a vehicle and have damage to their bike.
The enhanced care benefits that are available to cyclists when involved in a vehicle crash.
Examples of crash scenarios that involve bicycles.
Ongoing:
ICBC continues to work with HUB Cycling and BC Cyclists to develop updated training for ICBC Claims Adjusters.
Next steps:
ICBC will continue to consult with and involve stakeholders to expand on training as well as complete further updates to ICBC.com. Development of new crash scenarios to align
with changes to the Motor Vehicle Act are set to be implemented some time early next year.
Advocacy Work with BC Ferries
Over the summer we met with representatives from BC Ferries, to start discussions on how cyclists are supported on all of their various routes. We had some positive and frank discussions, with the great news the BC Ferries is listening and very eager to improve their services and entry points for riders. They have taken steps to improve their website content (did anyone know that you could reserve your spot as a rider, and that your bike was free?). We will keep you updated when we get updates from their staff on improvements over the coming months which hopefully will be in place next summer!
Advocacy Work with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Bill 23 is currently going through refinements on the regulations that will help define the changes to the Motor Vehicle Act, and the good news is that we finally will have supportive laws that benefit vulnerable road users very soon. Please sign up for our social media feeds or newsletters to get the most up-to-date information.
Cycle Tourism
This past summer BCCC met with Hon. Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, to touch base on all the amazing ways BC could be opened up for cycle tourist – but it all starts with infrastructure and safe roads and routes, and better service on BC Ferries!
Minister Popham is a cyclist, and hugely supportive of making improvements to our province and we are encouraged by her positive energy and enthusiasm.
E-Bike rebates
BCCC has heard loud and clear from the provincial government how popular the recent updates to their rebate program was, and we have no doubt this will be repeated in 2024. Although some were upset and not getting this initial rebate, you can see on Google that the reviews have been positive to say the least. Lets keep encouraging government to keep programs like this going!