Safety corridor between vehicles and cyclists

As summer approaches, a lot of cyclists are back on the road and are now part of the road landscape. The introduction of new road safety rules requires motorists who want to pass one or more cyclists to respect a ‘safety corridor’ of one metre in urban areas and 1.5m in rural areas.

The Régie de police de Memphrémagog is also advising road users that patrollers will be as vigilant in monitoring the behavior of cyclists as that of motorists and is reminding cyclists that they must: - Keep to the right of the road. - Circulate single file in groups of no more than 15, although smaller groups are recommended to facilitate passing.

- Respect signage (stops, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, etc.). For motorists: - It is permitted to cross the center line (even continuous) to pas cyclists, as long as the maneuver is done with proper regard to oncoming traffic and visibility.

- Observe the applicable safety corridor while passing.

“It's all about respect and common sense,” says Memphremagog Police spokesperson Paul Tear.” Despite what some motorists think, cyclists have the right to be on the roads but they have to respect the rules. But of the two kinds of road users, cyclists are the most vulnerable and no matter what their behavior, none of them deserve to be hit by a vehicle. And no motorist should want to be responsible for an accident causing injury or death. Respect and courtesy make it easy to share the road.”