Manitoba politician pushes for law requiring motorists to give bicycles space

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WINNIPEG—Motorists could be fined and given demerit points for getting too close to cyclists if the Manitoba legislature passes a private member’s bill calling for a bike buffer zone.

Dave Gaudreau, an NDP government backbencher, is putting forward a proposal that vehicles move over at least one metre when passing cyclists. It’s something cycling groups have called for and something Gaudreau says would enhance road safety.

“We all have our kids out on the road, and I want them to have that little extra room that (drivers) might forget,” Gaudreau said Thursday, one day before his bill was scheduled to be introduced in the legislature.”

The Highway Traffic Act currently requires motorists to keep “a safe distance” when passing cyclists. Legislating a specific distance would help motorists visualize how far they should stay away, Gaudreau suggested.

The one-metre rule has been promoted for years by cycling groups and took effect this year in Ontario. Legislation there penalizes offending drivers $110 and two demerit points.

Gaudreau, who represents the suburban constituency of St. Norbert in south Winnipeg, said he personally understands the potential benefits, having been clipped by a car while he was cycling.

Private member’s bills rarely become law, but Gaudreau is hoping for support from his government colleagues and members of the Opposition. It appeared he got solid backing Thursday from Transportation Minister Steve Ashton, who said if Gaudreau’s bill doesn’t pass, the government may adopt the measure in one of its own bills later on.

“We’re looking at some other measures as well, including this,” Ashton said.

“Certainly it’s been something we’ve been looking at seriously ourselves and it deserves consideration.”

Gaudreau said his bill may not come to a vote before February. A provincial election is slated for April 19.