Quebec's transport minister is promising to change the Highway Safety Code to better protect cyclists after a 33-year-old cyclist was fatally struck by a truck on Monday. Some warn, however, that even if the rules change, it might take years for attitudes to change.
Mathilde Blais has killed while riding a Bixi in a tunnel on St.-Denis St., south of Rosemont Blvd. Her death has prompted politicians to wonder what more can be done
“The security code has to be modern we have to follow the rules,” said Transport Minister Robert Poeti. “We have to follow the evolution of everyone and cyclists and bicycles need that too.”
The Highway Safety Code will be updated, he said.
“Bicycles you should have some lights on it at some different places, so right now with the evolution of bicycles we have to modify these things,” he said.
The minister said part of the solution is more dedicated bike paths but he doesn't say if cyclists will be allowed to use sidewalks in places where cycling on the road is dangerous.
In 2012, 13 cyclists died and nearly 2,000 were injured.
Julien Roy, owner if bike shop Velos Roy-O, cycles to work on most days, and he said there are already a lot of rules on the road, but the trouble is that many rules aren’t enforced.
“Cars should be driving at least five feet away from you,” he said, adding that drivers not using their turn signals caused him two accidents.
“The two times cars were turning right and not flashing and I couldn’t have known,” he said.
Roy said people's attitudes about sharing the road are the main problem.
“When you're driving a car, your're in a giant big metal thing and you're safe, so you don't pay attention as much,” he said, adding that cyclists also need to be more aware.
“Going in a traffic light without looking left, right, without checking, that's really dangerous,” he said.
Poeti plans to meet with the SAAQ Friday to discuss an update to the Highway Safety Code.
