Cycling

Terrence Wojtkiw was issued a violation ticket for three Motor Vehicle Act offences while riding a TAG 500 electric scooter equipped with pedals. He had modified this motor assisted cycle (MAC) so that it no longer qualified for exemptions under the Motor Vehicle Act. He disputed the ticket.

Question: I would really like to see advice for cycling on narrow, twisty roads. We do a lot of biking with a small group on roads in the Okanagan and are sometimes unsure what’s best and safest.

Imagine the surprise of the motorist at a collision I once investigated. He parked at the side of the road, opened his door, and a passing car tried to tear it off! It's a good thing he didn't step out while he opened the door.

A conversation that I had this week highlights a dangerous situation that is well worth discussing, vehicles making right turns across cycle lanes. Drivers may not understand the duties required of them as many of us are only starting to experience driving alongside cycle lanes.

The DriveSmartBC inbox has received a number of complaints about bike riders this summer. If the complaint is made by a pedestrian, they are worried about being hurt by errant cyclists. If they are motorists, they are worried about hurting the cyclists.

The Victoria Times Colonist Comments section often contains interesting discussions on road safety. Today's edition shared a letter that raised the issue of slow cycling for me. It was not the writer's intention as the subject was about the need for cycle lanes in Central Saanich.

The observation "five dollar head, five dollar helmet" was how one of my supervisors referred to motorcycle riders who wore beanie style helmets that would provide little or no protection in a crash.

I see more and more bicycles with flashing rear lights. Is this actually a better option or is it just a fad? I would like to know what the law is and if there is any research on the effectiveness of rear flashing red lights as opposed to lights that are just on all the time.

Effective on April 5, 2024 our government updated the Motor Assisted Cycle Regulation. The new regulation creates two categories of e-bike, a standard and a light version as well as setting minimum ages for riders using them on the highway.

As we learned in last week's article about passing pedestrians and cyclists, amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act effective on June 3, 2024 will change the way that drivers must behave around vulnerable road users. Following distances for pedestrians and cyclists are changing as well.