Moncton council unanimously supports 'Ellen's Law'

Dozens of supporters wearing bicycle helmets gave council a round of applause at Monday's city council meeting in Moncton, after a resolution supporting 'Ellen's Law' passed unanimously.

EllenWattersdied after being involved in a collisionwith a vehicle on Dec. 23, 2016while on a training run in Sussex.

• Star New Brunswick cyclist Ellen Watters dies from crash injuries
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Cathy Manuel, who was dressed in her cycling jersey, says supporters decided to don their bike gear to show council that bicycle safety matters to people.

"There's a whole array of cyclists who came out in support of this resolution."

Manuel said this resolution is because more people are choosing to cycle, whether for transportation, recreation, or fitness.

"If we want people to get out there, New Brunswick has to be proactive in making surethat those people are safe in doing those activities."

Sheila Cameron, also an avid cyclist and lobbyist for 'Ellen's Law', told council the movement to have a law enacted in Watters' name started the day the 28-year-old-woman died from the collision.

"We do know she was hit from behind by a car on a rural road outside of Sussex. She was hospitalized and died fivedays later."

Groups were formed in Moncton and Saint John.

Saint John passed a similar resolution last week.

'Ellen's law' would require vehicles to give onemetre of space to cyclist travelling in the same direction.

"That's a lot of space, and there's people here with their helmets on tonight that would tell you that we're very happy when we get one meter and would also tell you we don't always get one meter," said Cameron.

"It's very scary when you're in a small bicycle with no protection and a car buzzes by you too close."

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the resolution.

But for 'Ellen's law' the province has to get on board. Manuel said her group has spoken to Denis Landry, minister of public safety.

"I think we will see some action," said Manuel."What the timelines look like I don't know."