Cycling advocates push back after Canadian police release victim-blaming road safety video

A recent road safety video from the Richmond RCMP in British Columbia has sparked a heated reaction. The video, titled “Pedestrian Safety is a Two-Way Street,” tries to teach people about road safety. However, the vast majority of people responding to it, particularly cycling and safe roads advocates, are unhappy with it and are letting the Richmond RCMP know about it.

The video shows only the driver of a car doing something illegal while the pedestrian is crossing legally at a crosswalk. This has led many to point out that the video unfairly puts some blame on pedestrians for accidents and doesn’t focus enough on the responsibilities of drivers.

Pedestrian safety is a two-way street. What pedestrians and drivers can do to make our roadways safer https://t.co/ifQhF3eMqU pic.twitter.com/UsdvxrM0aE

— Richmond RCMP (@RichmondRCMP) October 13, 2023

So far, on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, there are 2,600 comments and counting. Here are a few of the most popular.

Next from the safety experts: “Why deaf residents should not be allowed outside”

— Andy Boenau (@Boenau) October 16, 2023

https://t.co/oqyh5BAoqK

— Tom Flood (@tomflood1) October 17, 2023

There is a vast moral and practical distinction between killing someone and *being killed.* Walking is fundamental to human mobility, health and development. Driving poses substantial dangers to anyone outside the car. These activities are not equivalent or even similar.

— Bella Chu (@bellachu10) October 16, 2023

Did a car write this tweet

— Bianca wants safe bike lanes and infill housing (@ambrosiamonkey) October 16, 2023

The controversial video has made people think about who should be more responsible for road safety and also about the nature of victim blaming. And how governments continue the mantra of shared responsibility that only seems to reinforce the status quo. Until we acknowledge that this is entirely not a two-way street and that roads and public space have always been and continue to be heavily weighted in favour of cars and car drivers, vulnerable road users including cyclists and pedestrians will not be safe enough. Prioritise people.

A day after the video was released a driver of a vehicle hit and killed a pedestrian on Granville Avenue in Richmond.