Safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians as B.C. chases a greener transportation network is the aim of pending changes to the province香蕉视频直播檚 Motor Vehicle Act.
On Wednesday, April 5 B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming tabled Bill 23, which is aimed at increasing active transportation by making it less risky for pedestrians and cyclists to use the roads.
Amendments include implementing a one-metre minimum safe-passing distance and a three-metre minimum following distance that drivers of motor vehicles must observe when sharing the road.
香蕉视频直播淢aking our roads safer for everyone while enabling new and emerging transportation technology, especially personal mobility devices, is changing the way people and goods move safely around our cities and towns,香蕉视频直播� said Fleming.
香蕉视频直播淭his legislation requires drivers to use appropriate care around pedestrians and cyclists, supports enforcement of regulations, and sets a strong foundation for testing and evaluating new technology and policies as we shift to a net-zero future in B.C.香蕉视频直播�
The proposed changes are being welcomed by B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 cycling community.
香蕉视频直播淭he majority of local residents cycle regularly or want to cycle but are held back by safety concerns,香蕉视频直播� said Erin O香蕉视频直播橫elinn, executive director of the Metro Vancouver cycling coalition HUB Cycling. 香蕉视频直播淭his is an important step to making all road users safer and to providing comfortable options for people to get around using active, healthy, affordable, sustainable modes of transportation.香蕉视频直播�
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Increasing the province香蕉视频直播檚 authority to equip speed limiters and regulate the maximum speed of heavy-duty commercial vehicles is also part of the plan. The government expects a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and speed-related crashes to result.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e advocated for speed limiters on heavy-duty commercial vehicles because the data shows they dramatically reduce the number of at fault speed-related accidents,香蕉视频直播� said Dave Earle, president and CEO of BC Trucking Association. 香蕉视频直播淎dditionally, speed limiters help green our sector by curbing fuel consumption and emissions generated by trucks travelling at high speeds.香蕉视频直播�
The proposed legislation will also regulate the use and testing of automated vehicles on B.C. roadways, including micro-utility delivery robots and personal mobility devices.
The changes are proposed against the backdrop of the B.C. government香蕉视频直播檚 pending Clean Transportation Action Plan to shift people out of cars, reduce vehicle kilometres travelled, and decrease GHG transportation emissions by 27 to 32 per cent.
香蕉视频直播淭ransportation accounts for a total of 40 per cent of our annual greenhouse gas emissions. Actions that reduce these emissions have a wide range of benefits, from cleaner air and less congestion to better health and walkable, accessible communities,香蕉视频直播� said Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman.
香蕉视频直播淎 major part of shifting to a low-carbon economy is ensuring people have safe alternatives to get where they香蕉视频直播檙e going,香蕉视频直播� said Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit, Dan Coulter.
chadd.cawson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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