Biking Lawyer fires back at controversial road safety video with new campaign

Cycling advocate and lawyer, Dave Shellnut, of The Biking Lawyer LLP, is among those expressing their concerns about the Richmond RCMP’s recent road safety video. In response to the controversial video, Shellnut has voiced his objections and, in doing so, unveiled the beginning of his own plans for a road safety awareness campaign designed to shift the burden of responsibility from vulnerable road users to drivers.

The RCMP video, titled Pedestrian Safety is a Two-Way Street, has garnered significant attention, very little of it positive. Shellnut, who has been working closely with Tom Flood of Rovelo Creative, expressed his discontent with the video’s approach, citing that it unfairly places the onus of road safety on pedestrians rather than focusing on the responsibilities of drivers.

Shellnut, known for his commitment to road safety argues that road safety statistics clearly indicate that the primary responsibility for accidents lies with dangerous and negligent drivers. He perceives the Richmond RCMP video, along with similar campaigns across the province and the country, as a culture that prioritizes automobile traffic at the expense of other crucial aspects, such as the environment, safety, and congestion.

We’re asking elected officials, police & all those responsible for road safety to reimagine their messaging. Focus on the giant elephant in the room (dangerous driving) & less on victimizing vulnerable road users. – special shout out to @RichmondRCMP https://t.co/0pCqD14Xuo pic.twitter.com/AwKyQbroAH

— The Biking Lawyer (Dave Shellnutt) (@TheBikingLawyer) October 17, 2023

“We ask kids, we ask people to take steps to be safe, without putting the onus on the people causing the harm to be responsible and shoulder their responsibility when they’re behind the wheel,” Shellnut says. “It’s a complete abdication of responsibility. And it’s our governments being complicit in a culture that prioritises automobile traffic at the expense of nearly everything.”

He further drew attention to the need for a paradigm shift in the way road safety is approached, emphasizing the importance of holding dangerous drivers accountable for their actions.

Shellnut has been working diligently alongside Flood for the past three to six months to create a campaign that pushes back against the prevailing narrative. Their goal is to encourage cities and police forces to be more proactive and thoughtful in addressing road safety issues.

As the conversation continues to evolve, it’s clear that Shellnut and like-minded advocates are determined to steer the discussion in a direction that places the responsibility on those who have the most influence on road safety – the drivers. While the controversy surrounding the Richmond RCMP’s video persists, it remains to be seen how these efforts will influence initiatives across the country. Dave Shellnut and his team are poised to continue their campaign, actively promoting a more balanced approach to road safety that prioritizes the well-being of all road users.