Road Safety

2010 Campaign – Bicycle Safety

In 2010, the SAAQ is encouraging its partners to continue their awareness campaigns among youth.

Young people under age 15 are of particular concern as this age group represents 25% of cyclists involved in road accidents. According to the estimated degree of risk associated with cyclists, the number of victims per 100,000 cyclists may be 38 for this age group. In 2008, the rate of helmet use among youth aged 10-15 was estimated at 26%. We know that head injuries account for approximately 60% of deaths and 30% of serious injuries requiring hospitalization.

Here are the awareness campaigns planned for spring and summer 2010.

Working with Police Forces
The SAAQ encourages Québec police forces and Vélo-Sécur (Web site in French only) patrollers to step up awareness efforts on the importance of wearing helmets and obeying safety rules on and near bicycle paths.

This year, the campaign runs between May 17 and June 21, 2010. Police officers are taking this opportunity to distribute the 5th edition of the Safe Cycling Guide and the Let's All Share the Road…Safely leaflet. The contribution of Québec police forces and Vélo-Sécur patrollers plays a major role in ensuring that cyclists are respected on the roads.

Public and Community Efforts
In 2010, the SAAQ is offering a kit called Les énigmes de Génivélo to police officers for purposes of organizing bicycle safety awareness activities for children aged 7 to 12. Some 3,500 kits have been distributed since 1997 and police officers are encouraged to distribute them to interested community groups (Optimist Clubs, recreation services, etc.) and physical education teachers. Each year, more than 1,000 helmets are distributed among police forces requesting equipment to motivate young people to participate in Génivélo activities.

A Partnership with the Fédération des sports cyclistes du Québec
In 2010, the SAAQ became a partner of the Tour du silence (Ride of Silence) in Québec. This bike tour is held every year, on the third Wednesday in May, everywhere in the world simultaneously. The tour aims to make road users aware of the vulnerability of cyclists and honour the numerous cyclists who have died. This year, the event took place in 14 municipalities throughout the province.

In 2009, 16 cyclists died on our roads, which is 4 more than in 2008. The number of deaths for this category or road users has varied between 12 and 20 per year since 2004. Collisions involving a bicycle and a vehicle cause more than 80% of cycling deaths. These collisions also account for between 20 and 25% of hospitalizations among cyclists.

The SAAQ is taking advantage of this activity to remind the public of a few safety rules that can reduce the risk of accident. Cyclists must obey traffic signals, signal their intentions and be visible. Motorists should leave at least one metre between their vehicle and a cyclist when passing. They should also remember that cyclists may have to swerve to avoid obstacles.

2010 Campaign – The Road – Shared Space for Cyclists and Motorists

The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec and the Québec Ministère des Transports have partnered to launch an awareness campaign to remind people that the road is shared space. The road has room for mutual respect among all users, including motorists and cyclists, and everyone is responsible for their own safety as well as that of others.

A 30-second radio ad about sharing the road is being broadcast from June 21 to July 18, 2010 on both French- and English-language Astral Radio stations across Québec. In addition, Astral Radio is calling on the services of star radio hosts from its affiliated stations. They will remind motorists and cyclists alike to obey the Highway Safety Code and encourage them to be cautious and respectful towards each other when they are on the road.