New Quebec rules include more space for cyclists, increased fines for dooring

The Quebec government's promised amendments to the Highway Safety Code are now in effect requiring drivers to stay at least one metre away from bicycles sharingtheir lane and increasingfines for "dooring" dramatically.

"Dooring" the common way to describewhen someone opens the door of a stoppedvehicle without shoulder-checkingand hits a passing cyclist will now cost drivers between $200 and $300. That's up from $30.

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Montrealers react

The new rules are welcomed byJo Murray, who moved to Montreal from Britain.

"There's a lot of cyclists going around here, and I don't think people take enough care. Especially cars," she said.

As a driver who's accidentally doored a cyclist before, FilomenaPupo agrees.

Though the cyclist wasn't hurt, Pupo says she never got over it. Shehopes the new rule will force drivers to share the road more.

Cyclist Manual Barea, however, says he thinks teaching people to share the road would be more effective than punishing them after the fact.

"Increasing fines, that won't change anything," he said.

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Barea and others say the city's narrow streets and high traffic volume make it nearly impossible for drivers to always keep a one-metre distance between their vehicles and cyclists.

More road safety rules may be on the way, some of whichaim to hold cyclists more accountable.

Montreal police, for example, want to make it a crime for people to cycle while drunk.