Share the Road
Wheel Life column - 1 May, 1999
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Curb your road rage! It doesn't matter whether you are in a bad mood, in a hurry, or simply full of self-importance, there is no excuse for there is no excuse for being aggressive, dangerous or inconsiderate when operating a vehicle.

Drivers must be willing to share the road with all types of users. With spring in full swing you can expect more tour buses, cyclists, pedestrians, horse-drawn wagons, and even the occasional duck. So just relax and enjoy the show.

Let's make one point absolutely clear. Public roads are not just for motor vehicles. Except where specifically prohibited, bicyclists have just as much right to use the roads as other vehicles. Pedestrians have a right to cross the street. And ducks have the right to waddle. (For the legal wording, see the BC Motor Vehicle Act, available on the web at http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/bcstats.)

And don't think that because motorists pay fuel taxes they own the roads. Local roads, where most walking and cycling occurs, are funded through local taxes which we all pay regardless of how we travel. Pedestrians and bicyclists tend to pay more than our fair share of these taxes because we impose lower roadway costs than motorists. (For more information, see the report "Whose Roads?," available at our website, http://www.vtpi.org)

Be a cautious driver. Your SUV equipped with three-point-seat-belts, airbags, and side impact protection may feel safe to you, but it's a hazard to other road users. Drive as if somebody you dearly love could be cycling or walking on the road ahead. Never operate a vehicle if you cannot fully concentrate on driving. Don't drive while using a cellular telephone, which studies indicate is as dangerous as driving drunk.

Always be prepared to stop for pedestrians crossing the road. Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. Motorists who ignored these rules have killed two pedestrians who were legally crossing streets in our community during the last couple years.

Any vehicle, including a bicycle, that is going slower than other traffic should stay as far to the right side of the roadway as practical to help faster vehicles pass. But there are circumstances in which bicyclists will ride in the traffic lane, for example when they travel as fast as other traffic (which is common on city streets), when approaching an intersection, if there are hazards at the right edge of the roadway (such as potholes or parallel parked cars), or on a city street that is simply too narrow to allow safe passing.

Drivers of faster vehicles must wait until it is absolutely safe before passing a slower vehicle, including a bicycle. Never honk your horn at a cyclist simply because you want to pass.

Leave adequate space when passing bicycles. Traffic engineers call this "shy distance." How much shy distance? That depends on how fast you are going. At low speeds, 1 metre may be adequate but at speeds greater than 25 kilometres per hour you need at least 2 metres between your vehicle and any bicycle you pass and 3 metres when you drive more than 60 kilometres per hour.

When you park on the roadway, always check for cyclists that may be coming from behind before opening your car door. First check the side view mirror and over your shoulder. If you don't see any cyclists approaching, open the door a few inches, then check again. If it is clear you may fully open the door.

Cyclists can avoid being "doored" (hit by an opening car door) by maintaining at least one metre shy distance between themselves and parked cars (about as much distance as car drivers give each other). Bigger vehicles require more distance than smaller ones.

Bike lanes, such as those along Yates and Fort Streets through downtown Victoria, may give cyclists a false sense of security about parked cars. The metre or more shy distance rule still applies there, so cyclists need to ride as far as possible on the left side of the bike lane when cars are parked along the curb. We hope that in the future the city will consider bicycling important enough to provide truly safe facilities.

Don't forget the GVCC sport ride, which leaves the Cook Street Village Moka House at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday Morning. There will be an easier route (15-25 kms) and, if there are riders who want a greater challenge, a longer, harder route.