April 02, 2018 (Montrel, QC) – Vélo Québec reacts with incomprehension, disappointment and consternation to the report of the Committee on Transportation and the Environment on Bill 165, which amends the Highway Safety Code. Despite Vélo Québec’s representations during the committee’s study of the project, the government now seems ready to go ahead with a 433% increase in fines for bicycle offenses.

Increases out of proportion and without justification
While the revision of the Highway Safety Code should be an opportunity for the government to tackle identified, proven and well-documented road safety issues, such as distracted driving, which is implicated as a result of a growing number of collisions, fatalities and serious injuries on the road, this revision is proposing a significant increase in tickets for cyclists.

Have bicycle offenses suddenly become a public safety concern? What justifies, as a society, a drastic increase in the amount of cycling offenses, much more than all other categories of road users? This increase is unfounded, abusive and out of all proportion.

Wall-to-wall sanctions, without any gradation
The proposed penalties for cyclists, from $80 to $100, do not take into account the relative danger associated with the offense.

Hence, the omission of a reflector in broad daylight is sanctioned at the same level of non-respect as running a red light or not stopping for a school bus!

We agree with the Montreal Police Service that: “Guided by expert advice, we suggest a gradation of fines based on the level of danger of the offense.” – Police Service of the City of Montreal.

The new sanctions are abusive and counterproductive
Once the various applicable fees have been taken into account, each offense committed by a cyclist will result in a fine of $127. For many people whose bicycle is the only means of affordable transportation, such penalties can be more than the cost of their vehicle itself.

Consequently, this also means that a cyclist with automatic pedals, whose shoes are not equipped with reflectors, will be liable for two tickets, for a total of $ 254 – and this, in broad daylight!

The Vélo Québec proposal
As a result, Vélo Québec is asking the Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transportation Electrification, André Fortin, and his government to review and lower the cycling sanctions. We are proposing an amount of $30 to $50, which would double existing penalties. With the usual administrative costs, this would already represent an acutal amount of $63 per offense, which is enough to be a deterrent.

Original release (in French) here.