Sept 1 and there are new laws in Ontario that, if enforced, are great for Triathletes. I think there will be motivation from municipalities as fines are pretty large and even tickets after the fact (contact between car and bike) allow for driver culpability. The way they are written is favorable to the cyclist, pedestrian, not the driver. They put most responsibility on drivers (how they are enforced is another matter).

1. Distracted driving $1000 fine, this entails talking on or even looking at your phone (looking down) while driving. Although it will take a while, it may change some behavior at least for those that shell at $1000 and get 6 points.

2. Three foot rule on passing cyclists no matter where the cyclist is in the road, and this includes the car being stopped and "dooring" a cyclist. Even opening your car door into a cyclist without contact is a $300-1000 fine and 3 points. Again while hard to enforce, if will result in a ticket for the driver if a cyclist gets "doored", thus making the driver culpable for damage to you and your bike.

3. Crosswalk/Pedestrian crossings (continuous running trails with street crossings), have to be completely clear for the entire road (both sides) before drivers can pass through them.


I don't think for one second this will change over night, but it is a shift in the right direction in changing the culture. It can be done, it was done with the "move over for a stopped emergency vehicle". Almost everyone moves into the left lane now to give police more room.

Here's hoping.