Fredericton police say cyclists need to obey rules of the road

Police in Fredericton are reminding cyclists about their role in sharing the roads with vehicles.

Cst. Patrick Small of the Fredericton Police Force said that in the next few days the police, in partnership with the City of Fredericton, will be handing out brochures on bicycle safety. Officers will also be enforcing the laws, and ticketing people who don’t obey the rules outlined in the province’s Motor Vehicle Act.

“Under the Motor Vehicle Act a bicyclist is more similar to a motor vehicle than they are a pedestrian.  Bicyclists are required to ride on the roadway, not the sidewalk, so when they’re going through an intersection they’re not a pedestrian, so they don’t use a cross-walk,” said Small.

READ MORE: Failure to follow New Brunswick’s ‘one-metre rule’ will result in fine, loss of demerit points

Small said cyclists are legally required to obey road signs and use hand signals when turning and signalling lane changes.

Ellen’s law is now in effect, and Small points out cyclists are also responsible for sharing the road, and they have the responsibility to stay to the side of the road.

Small said many people are aware of the ‘one metre rule’, which is part of Ellen’s Law, but he said there are several parts of the new law that drivers and cyclists should be aware of, including motorists being required to honk as they pass cyclists.

“When cars are passing a bicycle they are required to sound their horn before they pass the bicycle.  They are required to signal around the bicycle when they’re passing, and they’re also required to ensure they’re safe to return back into their lane or back to the right after having passed the bicycle,”Small said.

He also said bicyclists are required to give way to driver’s after they’ve honked their horn.

Driver’s are also supposed to ensure they don’t pass to the left of any cyclist who signaled that they’re making a left turn.

READ MORE: ‘Ellen’s Law’ to take effect in New Brunswick on Thursday

Public education on new traffic laws

When it comes to who’s responsible for educating the public about new laws, Department of Justice and Public Safety spokesperson Paul Bradley said in an email statement that the department is “always in close contact with law enforcement and often consults with them during the development process for new laws pertaining to the Motor Vehicle Act. ”

He said police forces are updated regularly about new things that are coming.

“It is the responsibility of the department to develop and implement the law, and the role of law enforcement to ensure the rules are being followed. How police go about enforcing laws under the Motor Vehicle Act is at their discretion,” wrote Bradley.

Bradley said the province’s “We’re all Traffic” campaign is about “ensuring people respect each other and share the road in a responsible and safe manner.”