Quebec is taking steps to protect cyclists, and to penalize those who injure them.
Bill 100 will change the Highway Safety Code to emphasize that bicycles in a traffic lane will legally occupy the entire lane.
That means motorists who wish to pass a bicycle will be obliged to change lanes.
If there is no other lane to use, drivers will be able to pass if they slow down to a safe speed and maintain a reasonable distance from the cyclist.
How far is reasonable? Bill 100 defines it as 1.5 metres on roads where the speed limit is more than 50 km/h. On roads where traffic is moving at less than 50 km/h, 1 metre is considered a safe distance.
The law will also increase the fines for injuring a cyclist by 'dooring' -- opening a car door in the path of a cyclist, a move which has killed several people in Quebec.
The current penalty is a $56 fine.
That will increase to $200 to $300.
