City council to review draft bylaw for safe passing distances 102 Ave. Cyclist (Kurayba/Flickr)

City council to review draft bylaw for safe passing distances

· The Pulse
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City council gets its first look on June 7 at a new bylaw that establishes rules for safely sharing the road.

What is it?

  • The Safe Passing Distance bylaw (Charter Bylaw 19642) will "establish safe passing distances between drivers of motor vehicles and cyclists on highways."
  • The bylaw states:
    • When travelling a speed limit of less than 60 km/h, drivers must maintain a one-metre distance from cyclists.
    • On roads with speed limits over 60 km/h, that distance increases to 1.5 m.
    • Anyone found guilty of an offence under this bylaw is "liable to a fine of an amount not less than $250.00."

Where did the bylaw come from?

Why is it significant?

  • The rules are intended to provide clarity to help make cyclists feel safer on the road and reduce the likelihood of accidents.
  • "Right now, we've got this deeply ill-defined thing that is probably as much a disadvantage to drivers as it is to cyclists, because what 'safe' is right now, is open to everyone's interpretation," Councillor Ben Henderson said in February.
  • "Even if you only have one in 10 drivers passing a little too closely, some people grit their teeth and bike through it and hope it doesn't result in a collision," said Christopher Chan, executive director of Bikes Edmonton."But for others, those types of interactions can be enough to deter from cycling at all."

What's next?

  • Following the first reading on Monday, the draft bylaw will be advertised to the public.
  • A public hearing scheduled for Aug. 31 will allow for extra input before final consideration.
  • If approved, Charter Bylaw 19642 will take effect on Sept. 30.