UBCM Passes Resolution on MVA Modernization

A resolution calling on the province to support advocacy efforts to modernize the Motor Vehicle Act passed at Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference today.

Moved by The City of New Westminster, the resolution entitled ‘Updating the BC Motor Vehicle Act to Improve Safety for All Road Users’ voiced support for meaningful recommendations toward reform of the Act, as expressed by the position paper ‘Modernizing the BC Motor Vehicle Act’, authored by the Road Safety Law Reform Group of British Columbia. The resolution passed alongside endorsement from the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, and represents an important step forward to making our roads safer for people walking and cycling.

The resolution notes, “Whereas the BC Motor Vehicle Act was originally passed in 1957,… it was written with an emphasis on the rights and responsibilities of motorist, and does not adequately address the rights and responsibilities of other road users; …And whereas the provincial government has established a “Vision Zero” plan to eliminate road-related injuries and deaths by 2020… the trend towards reduced injuries and deaths for vulnerable road users are not keeping pace with improved safety for motorists.”

Calling on the provincial government to address the recommendations from the Law Reform Group (of which the BCCC is a member), the resolution’s authors highlight the need to deal with the conditions on the provinces’ roads, conflicts between motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and persons with disabilities, and the need to protect seniors, children and other vulnerable road users:.

As part of our work on Motor Vehicle Act Reform, the BCCC is specifically asking the province to:

  • Change of name of the act to be inclusive of all modes, not just motor vehicles

  • Legislate and enforce a minimum passing distance of 1.5m for people cycling, walking and using a wheelchair

  • Establish definitions of bicycle lanes and separated cycling facilities to enable better enforcement against physical threats from motor vehicles

  • Legalize riding two abreast 

  • Revise or remove the clause “as near to the right as is practicable”

  • Allow municipalities to establish speed limits zones of 50 km/h or lower

  • Legislate default speed limits of 30 km/h on local neighbourhood streets lacking a centre line

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