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CAEP Call for Better Urban Planning and Mandatory Helmet Laws across Canada

release by the CAEP

CAEP logo 458483_495380073833623_1704719352_oJune 19, 2014 (Ottawa) – A new position statement focusing on improving bicycle safety within Canada was released today by the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP).

CAEP advocates that the recommendations of the Office of the Ontario Chief Coroner’s Cycling Death Review be adopted in full by the Province of Ontario, and that the recommendations be distributed to all other provinces for similar adoption.

The Position Statement was authored by Eric Letovsky, MD, MCFP(EM), FRCPC; Brian H. Rowe, MD, MSc, CCFP(EM); Steven Marc Friedman, MD, MPH, CCFP(EM), FCFP; Carolyn Snider, MD, MPH FRCPC; & Emily Sullivan, MD.

Also within the position statement CAEP has identified cycling safety issues that should be considered priorities. Specifically, CAEP recommends that:

– A ‘‘complete streets’’ approach should be adopted to guide the development and redevelopment of communities to give consideration to enhancing safety for all road users, and should include creation of cycling networks (incorporating strategies such as connected cycling lanes, separated bike lanes, bike paths, and other models appropriate to the community), as well as designation of community safety zones in residential areas, with reduced posted maximum speeds and increased fines for speeding;
– An educational campaign regarding cyclist visibility, especially at night, should be implemented;
– Bicycle helmet legislation should be approved in provinces without any current law, as soon as possible;
– Bicycle helmet legislation should be amended in all provinces to make helmets mandatory for cyclists of all ages.

The position statement is attached and can be <http://caep.ca/Improving-Bicycle-Safety-in-Canada> found online on the CAEP website.

“This is an issue that has been put to the back burner far too long,” states Snider “Bicycles are a popular form of transportation and steps need to be taken to ensure that cyclists are safe.”

Letovsky insists further actions must be taken by those in urban planning to help with future bike safety initiatives.

“Environmental Issues and traffic congestion have become hot topic issues within our society. More and more people are turning to the bicycle as a mode of regular transportation. When planning or improving communities, developers need to take this into account and provide suitable and safe avenues of transportation for cyclists.”





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