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Should cyclists have insurance?

Cycling columnist Geordie McGillivray wishes he could have insurance for his bike
Geordie Mcgillivray
Cycling, front
Is this a cycling city? It depends where you ride. Cruising along the dyke is lovely, but watch out for No. 3 Road. If cycling is to become a truly viable means of transportation in Richmond, a more comprehensive initiative is needed, according to many advocates. September, 2013.Graeme Wood

I wish I could pay ICBC to insure my bike to ride on public roads. Every time someone says “If cyclists wants to be allowed to ride on the roads and have the same privileges as cars, they should have to have insurance” I tell them they are absolutely right. What? A cyclist saying yes, he should have to insure his bike? But I’m being serious. Please, let me pay to insure my bike, but with one condition: It must give me the same insurance benefits as a motorist.

As an example, I pay ICBC $35 a month to insure a Honda scooter which I think is comparable to a bike. Sure, it has a gas engine but it has a top speed of just over 50kmh, it’s only allowed on roads and not highways and just like a bike, it can be stolen in under 60 seconds. So let’s pretend I now have bike insurance through ICBC for $35 a month that matches the same coverage as my scooter. How would things be different from how they are now?

Currently, if I’m riding my bike on the road and hit a large pothole, lose control of the bike and crash injuring myself and damaging my bike, I am responsible for 100 per cent of the costs. Up to $3000 for a new bike and then paying for all rehabilitation costs. A motorcyclist who hits that pothole, crashes and gets injured will pay a $300 deductible and every other cost is paid for by ICBC. Win: Insured Motorist.

Currently, if my bike is locked up but stolen then I’m responsible for the entire cost of replacing my bike for $3000. If a motorcycle or scooter is stolen while insured then ICBC pays for the entire cost of a replacement. Win: Insured Motorist.

Currently, if I’m negligent and I crash into a car on the road, break my wheel and bars and damage the car, not only am I responsible for all the costs to repair my bike, let’s say $1000 in this case, but I then have to work with ICBC as well as police if they were called, and settle the repair costs to the vehicle. $2500 out of my pocket instead of a $300 deductible. Lose: Uninsured Cyclist.

Currently, if another cyclist runs into me, damaging my bike - but then that person rides away from the scene, I’m responsible for the full costs of the repair or replacement of my bike. Up to $3000. If a cyclist hits a car, damages it and then rides away then the motorist only has to pay a $300 deductible. Win: Insured Motorist.

How could I not want insurance like motorists have? Cyclists would then be saving thousands of dollars and passing it on to ICBC just like motorists do. ICBC would be paying out millions more every year in bike replacement and repair costs. I'd be so happy because just like motorists, I would rarely be out of pocket whether an accident is my fault or not. Then, we could cue all the complaints from people now saying cyclists should not be allowed to have insurance on their bikes. I’m sure of it.

Geordie McGillivray is an avid Richmond cyclist. His column appears regularly in the Richmond News.