The city of Montreal will install side guards on its fleet of trucks and wants the federal government to oblige all truck owners to do the same. Montreal’s mayor may be more sensitive to the issue because of a rash of accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians slipping under the wheels of trucks. Some have been fatal.
Montreal has a big network of cycling paths and a dedicated cycling community, and the city encourages this type of active transportation.
In Canada existing vehicles are regulated by provinces, new ones are regulated by the federal government. The province of Quebec says it’s not ready to rule on side guards. The federal government has said it is not at all interested in doing so.
Side guards have been mandatory on trucks in Europe for the last 20 years. U.S. regulators have recommended they be required there but there has been no decision yet.
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