In British Columbia, we encourage people to enjoy outdoor activities. Whether you bike, skateboard, ride a scooter, or walk, everyone is asked to abide by safety rules and to ‘share the road’.

Did you know that as a participant of these activities you are considered a vulnerable-road user, and if involved in a crash with a motor vehicle, you may be faced with implications from ICBC’s No-Fault Insurance? Neither did Vancouver resident, Ben Bolliger.

Last year, Bolliger, was hit by a car as he traveled in a designated bike lane through a controlled intersection. To his dismay, and to everyone else who has read the Victoria Times Colonist newspaper article, Mr. Bolliger received a bill from ICBC for more than $3700 for damages done to the vehicle that hit him! Moreover, the article attempts to unravel a tangled mess and to shed light on ICBC’s No-Fault Insurance, the need for cyclists to have insurance and what the insurers’ limitations may be. But what about scooters, skateboarders, and pedestrians? There is no insurance for them. And if there were, what difference does it make? This news story clearly demonstrates that ‘no-fault’ means everyone involved shares in the blame and the expense, regardless of the second party being in a motor vehicle or not.

Geoff Sing, BCBIA Chair, reached out to ICBC with the organization’s concerns about this situation and what is going to be done to protect these innocent crash victims. ICBC has responded to say a working group has been formed “to review current policy and processes for when a vehicle and a cyclist are involved in a collision.” BCBIA has requested to be updated on the groups work and outcomes and is committed to keeping our readers informed.

Additional Resources:

Videos:

If you would like more information on ICBC’s No-Fault Insurance and the Enhanced Care Model, we encourage you to watch the following videos:

Part One: ICBC Accident Benefits Coverage

Part Two: Treatment Provider Options

Part Three: Support Organizations and Services

Part Four: Being Active in Your Own Recovery

ICBC’s Enhanced Care Model:

To learn more about concerns with ICBC’s Enhanced Care Model, read our blog on Jess Holland-Roy’s crash and the challenges he is experiencing with ICBC.  Should you or those within your network experience similar, perceived unfair treatment or support from the ICBC Enhanced Care Model, please let us know.  Send concerns or issues to: Geoff Sing care of – info@nullbrainstreams.ca.

Update from ICBC:

On May 4, 2022, ICBC announced changes to its policy on seeking costs from cyclists and pedestrians.

Photo Credit:  Image by Robert Pastryk from Pixabay