Cyclists can now use pedestrian signal instead of waiting for green light

Starting today, Quebec cyclists cancross intersections on the pedestrian walk signal rather than wait for the traffic light to turn green, but only after yielding to people on foot.

The change to the Highway Safety Code is designed tomake cyclistsmore visible to cars.Since 2017, seven cyclists have died on Montreal roads in collisions with motor vehicles.

Vlo Qubecprogram manager Magali Bebronne said overall, it's a move in the right direction, butwonders if there will be enough information disseminated about what the change means.

"It's important to stress here that pedestrians will have priority at all times and that cyclists will be required to yield or pedestrians," she said.

Spokesperson Annie Gauthier said that she's not sure cyclists know about the new rule or that pedestrians know that cyclists can now crossat their light.

"It could create new conflicts between those two road users," Gauthier said.

She said she believes the government needs to do more to inform people of the change.