Several residents on Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal’s Plateau Mont-Royal borough have expressed concerns about cyclists passing stopped school buses with their lights flashing multiple times each day. Mayer Feig, a resident of the street, witnessed multiple cyclists ignoring stop signs and flashing lights on school buses letting children off, including an incident where a cyclist hit a child who was about to board a school bus. Feig also mentioned that similar incidents have occurred in the past, causing fear among mothers who are now hesitant to let their children walk to the bus stop.
Magali Bebronne of the cycling advocacy group, Vélo Québec, acknowledges the seriousness of the accidents but believes that there is a lack of communication about the law regarding cyclists and school buses. She points out that the law requiring cyclists to stop at least 5 meters from a school bus with flashing lights has only been implemented since 2018. Bebronne emphasizes the importance of educating cyclists about these rules, suggesting that an information campaign is necessary to ensure that cyclists are aware of their responsibilities.
According to the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, the law states that cyclists (and motorists) must stop at a safe distance from a school bus with flashing red lights and not proceed until the lights are off. Despite efforts to communicate this regulation, residents of Jeanne-Mance Street feel that the message is not being effectively conveyed, especially with the presence of bike lanes on both sides of the street. Feig highlights the challenges posed by these bike lanes in a high-density area with a large number of children trying to navigate safely.
Montreal police have confirmed that the cyclist involved in Thursday’s accident on Jeanne-Mance Street violated the law and will face a fine of $131. However, residents believe that more needs to be done to enforce compliance with the regulations and ensure the safety of children getting on and off school buses. Feig has shared video footage of the incident with the police, who are continuing their investigation into the matter. The incident has raised concerns about the need for increased education and enforcement to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Overall, the ongoing issue of cyclists ignoring stop signs and flashing lights on school buses on Jeanne-Mance Street has created a sense of fear and uncertainty among residents, especially parents of school-aged children. Efforts by organizations like Vélo Québec to raise awareness and educate cyclists about the relevant laws are seen as crucial in addressing the problem. It is clear that more needs to be done to ensure the safety of children and pedestrians in this area, possibly through enhanced enforcement measures and community engagement initiatives to promote responsible cycling behavior.
