From: Charles Feaver
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2013 12:13
To: minlg@leg.gov.mb.ca
Cc: minhliv@leg.gov.mb.ca; minmit@leg.gov.mb.ca; 'Reaney, Vicky (MLG)'
Subject: Government plans for bicycle safety

Dear Mr. Lemieux:

We were delighted to see you quoted in the Free Press’ “Buffer zone for cyclists” story, saying that the Province is studying a safe-cycling amendment to the Highway Traffic Act.

As you know, we have been asking the province to implement a rule that requires motorists to allow at least a metre safe passing distance when they overtake bicycles.  This rule, called the “three foot rule” in the USA, is a standard that is being adopted by a growing number of jurisdictions in North America.  At last count, one province and 22 states have enacted the three foot safe passing distance rule. We truly hope that this is one of the legislative adjustments that you will introduce.

With our without the one metre rule defined in legislation, we urgently need action to inform drivers that one metre is the minimum safe passing distance.  Drivers often confuse “share the road” with “share the lane”, squeezing by cyclists when they do not have room in the lane to allow safe passing distance.  This is dangerous for cyclists who are on the road, and it is the most commonly mentioned reason Winnipeggers mention for not feeling safe enough to ride on our streets.  The sooner we can teach drivers this rule of thumb, the more Winnipeggers be willing to go around town on their bikes.

We are developing an advertising campaign of our own to communicate this message, and we hope that the Government’s June bicycle safety campaign will clearly tell drivers how to pass.  

We are always surprised to learn that government has bicycle safety plans in the works, when they have not taken the opportunity to consult us, given our passion for this subject, the information we collect about experiences on Winnipeg roads, our research, and our contacts with cycling organizations elsewhere.  We would much rather offer advice as collaborators during the development stage than as critics after the launch.

We are counting on the Government to deliver a successful cyclist safety policies and programs.  We will do what we can, and would be delighted to help your people in the planning stages.  To us this is a “life and death” matter.

Regards

Charles Feaver
Provincial Issues Director,
Bike Winnipeg / Bike to the Future
Winnipeg, Manitoba
204 293 6332
charles@biketothefuture.org

cc. Hon. Steve Ashton, Hon. Jim Rondeau, Ms Vicky Reaney