The popularity of biking has exploded in recent years. Road cyclists and mountain bikers find what they’re seeking in our region with the various big sports events held here. Significant investments have been made in infrastructure, but some major roads have not yet been completely optimized in order for cyclists to be able to enjoy them fully. The Road Safety Code is also adapting bit by bit to these changes so as to have measures of protection and supervision for road sharing among all users.

Protection measures…

Since 2016, a section of the Road Safety Code specifies the distance required for a car driver when passing a cyclist: in a zone in which speeds of over 50 km/hr are permitted, the driver must maintain a distance of 1.5 metres. On the other hand, if the speed permitted is 50 km/hr or less, the driver must maintain a distance of one metre from the cyclist.

While the Ville de Mont-Tremblant police do not, as yet, have a tool that will allow them to precisely measure the distance between a moving car and the cyclist it is passing, the officers will use their judgement and good sense in applying the law. When a cyclist is brushed or there are only a few centimetres between the passing car and the cyclist, a ticket can be issued without having taken a measurement, in the same way as a ticket for a stop sign is issued. The issuing of these tickets is rare because it’s a matter of timing; the police officers have to be at the right place at the right time to see the offence.

True or false?

Cyclists are obliged to use the cycling lane/path when there is one on a public road on which they are riding.
False – Cyclists are under no obligation to take a cycling lane/path and have the same right as car drivers to be on the road.

A car driver may pass a cyclist, even if it means crossing a solid line, if this action can be taken without danger.
True – A car driver may not pass on a curve or a hill, because he or she must be able to see what’s coming from the opposite direction.

By the same author: Safe snowmobiling (Click the image below)