Law 71 changes Quebec Highway Safety Code with one big improvement for road cyclists

Velo Quebec reports on some recent changes to Quebec's Law 71, amending the highway safety code.

Original news story in french here.

bad google translate here:

Highway Safety Code
Changes with the passage of Bill 71

On December 10, 2010 Bill 71 was adopted amending the Highway Safety Code of Quebec. The most publicized measures proposed by this bill - or lowering the maximum blood alcohol and driving, 05 and the imposition of helmet use among children under 12 years - have not been included in this version of the Code. Que reste-t-il donc, en particulier pour les cyclistes?

What remains is the matter, especially for cyclists?
No revolution, but some additions or modifications with greater consideration of reality and the current use. These measures were also among various ideas put forward by Vélo Québec during the preparation of Bill 71. They are now in effect.

Reflectors
In Quebec, the reflectors are required on bikes for over 30 years. To comply with the practice of manufacturers often equip the bikes with reflectors wheel white, color wheel reflectors prescribed date (yellow or red) was eliminated. Also, if an object is placed on the bike and obstructing a reflector (basket, bag, baby carrier, etc..) This object should be equipped with reflective tape.

Use of bicycle paths - no longer mandatory
Until immediately before this revision of the Code, the rider had to use the bike path if the public road where he was driving contained a bike path. This obligation is now removed, which can reduce stress, especially when bike lanes are not designed to provide direct access to certain destinations and fluid. This new provision should have little effect on the use of bike lanes if they are attractive, safe and effective. This will be particularly popular with sport cyclists who, during an outing, a bike path crossed a few hundred meters and continued their journey on the road instead of taking the track illegally.


Two-way bike path on one-way street (for municipalities)
This is a measure to allow cyclists to take a one way street in both directions. We prefer two-way path, as coined by our French cousins. For this type of intervention and some fairly specific conditions (low-speed motor, low speed, little movement of vehicles), cyclists can travel in both directions on a street called one-sided. This measure can be ensured simply by signage. . It does not limit only to contraflow bike lanes. This can be applied on a designated roadway or a street without a particular designation, with the installation of a sign "except bicycles" in the prohibition to take the street in the opposite direction only allowed. The double meaning cycle path (with markings though) have been successfully implanted in the vicinity of McGill University in Montreal. With the new Code provision that Quebec City will set up the bike boulevard Père-Marquette, like the cities of Portland (OR) and Vancouver. It is up to municipalities to implement this measure on their territory.


However, Vélo-Quebec had suggested other changes to Quebec cycling laws that are not included in law 71. These include:

• Obliger les automobilistes à maintenir une distance d'au moins 1,0 mètre...
• Permettre aux cyclistes de circuler dans un corridor de 1,5 mètre de largeur du côté droit de la chaussée et d'en sortir pour éviter un obstacle, dépasser un autre cycliste ou un véhicule lent, ou effectuer un virage à gauche.
• Permettre aux cyclistes de circuler au centre de la voie lorsque la largeur de la chaussée est insuffisante pour permettre un dépassement sécuritaire.
• Permettre au conducteur d'une bicyclette, face à un feu rouge, de suivre les indications des feux pour piétons
• Permettre aux enfants de moins de 9 ans de circuler sur les trottoirs
• Ne pas limiter le nombre de cyclistes en file
• Permettre de circuler à deux de front, sauf à l’approche d’un véhicule venant de l’arrière.