Although the number of four-season cyclists continues to grow, for many it will be back in the saddle over the next few weeks. As a result, car-bike-truck-pedestrian interactions will multiply, and we'll see once again that there's still a long way to go to establish harmonious and peaceful cohabitation on the road. We also have a long way to go to make our roads and streets more bicycle-friendly.
The road safety record of the last twenty years bears witness to the progress we have made, but there is always room for improvement. The Mink Zero approach, which Montreal has just launched and to which Trois-Rivières and a number of other cities also wish to subscribe, is a step in the right direction. This approach requires us to review the design, layout and operation of transportation systems, and establishes the notion of shared responsibility between users and designers of the road system. We all agree on the importance, among other things, of better-adapted infrastructures and a Road Safety Code that takes better account of the reality of active transportation, but let's face it: everyone's good behavior is also part of the solution.
Last September, we launched the On the road, our safety is linked to that of others, campaign, which will continue over the coming months. In previous campaigns, we chose to talk about sharing the road, addressing all road users. This time, we've chosen to focus more specifically on cyclists, especially those who tell us they don't know enough about the particularities of bicycle riding. Through a reminder of the safety instructions to be observed, particularly with regard to lighting at night, we aim to illustrate that good behavior on the road can only be beneficial to all users.
Happy spring!
Suzanne Lareau
President and General Manager
