A broad awareness campaign is being prepared for cyclists in Montreal to encourage them to better respect the road safety code. All this comes at a time when a recent incident where a cyclist was hit by a bus for failing to obey stop lights has sent shock waves.
What is there to know?
- A campaign should be launched within the next year to create awareness among cyclists about road safety.
- According to Vélo Québec and Piétons Québec, the development of cycling infrastructure necessitates more education.
- On May 9, a school bus hit a girl riding a bicycle who failed to stop at flashing lights.
Vélo Québec recently requested the Ministry of Transport’s Road Safety Fund to carry out a visibility campaign targeting cyclists in the spring of 2025. These awareness blitzes should generally focus on using specific behaviors of the road safety code. Pedestrians.
“We don’t hide it: there are behavioral issues,” says program director at Vélo Québec, Magali Bebronne.
His group hopes to launch the campaign before the “sustainable mobility corridor” arrives on the Henri-Pourassa axis, where a branch of the Express Bike Network (REV) will see the light of day with rapid bus service. (SRB) by 2027.
This is the first time that public transport with a cycle lane has a very high density, so it risks increasing tensions. It would be a shame if we missed this opportunity to work on mindset.
Magali Pepron, Program Director at Vélo Québec
He cites the example of last week’s incident, when a girl crossing the street to get to her school bus was hit by a cyclist who failed to stop in Plateau Mont-Royal. Fortunately, the victim is doing well. The fact that this is a clear violation of the Road Safety Act has been unanimously condemned in the cycling community.
“Since 2018 it has been compulsory for cyclists to park next to a school bus. It is still poorly known,” explains the director. “We want to make people understand the importance of pedestrian crossings. The whole question of urban buses or drop-off points should respect pedestrian priority. »
Another possible idea that could be put forward is “more use of bells on bicycles,” says Magali Prepon. “In Ontario, it’s mandatory and everyone uses it, whereas here, we have to explain it well so that it’s not perceived as an attack. It will be a challenge, of course, there is a social norm to change in some way. »
Montreal called for more
The Blind and Visually Impaired Group is concerned about the safety of members who are “particularly vulnerable” to collisions with cyclists. “Each year more cycle lanes also mean the risk of accidents by pedestrians. And it seems like the city is not taking care of that area,” says Yvon Provencher, mobilization and rights protection agent for the Regroupment des blinds et amblyopes du Montréal Métropolitan (RAAMM).
His group signed a letter earlier this week to Mayor Valerie Plante and her administration urging them to “be proactive in terms of education and awareness regarding bicyclists.”
Blind and partially sighted people are particularly vulnerable to collisions with bicyclists because bicycles are reactive and it is difficult or impossible to hear in time to avoid collisions.
Yvonne Provencher, from the Blind and Amblyopic People’s Committee of Metropolitan Montreal
In particular, he calls for clear communication efforts from the City of Montreal to reduce the number of red lights run at intersections by cyclists, for example. “It is not fair that associations work on creating awareness. »
“In terms of development, in REV Saint-Denis, in Christophe-Colomb, it doesn’t work. A bicycle lane at the same level as the sidewalk, the boarding platform is too confusing for the blind. It’s not safe,” continues the mobilization agent, who, with the aging of the population, “view Pathology will increase,” he recalls.
Sandrine Cabana-Degani, director of Piétons Québec, believes the news is “important.” “We asked last year to do an awareness campaign with the City’s cycling program. It’s a good thing that we’re improving infrastructure, but it’s still going to come with new cyclists. We need to educate these people,” he notes.
Regarding the arrangements, Mme Degani recalls that Peel Street REV was often an example of “good practice”. “There is a better width, with tactile plates that allow you to signal dangers on the platform and on the sidewalk when you cross the cycle path. This should be done everywhere,” she concludes.
In the office of Mayor Valérie Plante, we reiterate that “it is very important to raise constant awareness among all users, motorists and cyclists who respect the median code”. “We are committed to continuing to improve urban amenities for people with reduced mobility throughout Montreal, focusing on the most sensitive sectors right now,” concludes press secretary Béatrice Saulnier-Yell.
“Music geek. Coffee lover. Devoted food scholar. Web buff. Passionate internet guru.”
