Moncton City Council is sending a letter in support of legislative changes to make riding safer for cyclists.
Members of the local cycling community were at last night’s meeting wearing helmets, and colourful outfits to show their support for Ellen’s Law.
Sheila Cameron delivered a presentation to Councillors laying out the importance of the law, and how this was a great opportunity to make the roads safer for both cyclists and motorists.
Sheila Cameron addressing #Moncton City Council on the subject of #Ellenslaw #MonctonNews #nb #NBNews #nbpoli pic.twitter.com/DTnxEgNxK7
— 91.9The Bend News (@919TheBendNews) January 16, 2017
Cyclist Cathy Manuel says this law would introduce many changes, including a mandatory one metre space between vehicles and bikers.
“There are also other things, like dooring, and making sure cyclists don’t ride on the sidewalks, and making sure cyclists have the proper reflective gear at night,” says Manuel. “So it’s not just about educating motorists, it’s about educating cyclists as well.”
Manuel was asked what benefits passing this law would bring.
“Once you have a law in place, it gives New Brunswick, and it gives municipalities the ability to A: enforce it, but B: educate the citizens around that law, and I think the education piece is the most important,” says Manuel.
The law is named after competitive Canadian cyclist Ellen Watters who died shortly after Christmas from injuries sustained after she was hit by a car while on a training run in Sussex on December 23rd.
