Bicycling is on the rise in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Currently, bicyclists in BC do not need to be licensed or have insurance.
If you, as a bicyclist, are injured in an accident, unless you collide with or are struck by a "vehicle" which is defined as "a motor vehicle or trailer," you do not receive any Accident Benefits (Wage replacement or medical care costs) through ICBC.
An injury suffered due to a collision between two bicyclists falls outside of ICBC insurance. The same holds true for a collision between a cyclist and a pedestrian. There may be recourse to home owner's insurance, but not everyone owns a home or has this type of insurance, and there are often exclusions in those policies. You would have to try to recover damages against the bicyclist by suing them personally, and then collecting on any judgment. This is often impossible or so costly as to be ineffective.
If you are a car driver or passenger injured by the actions of a bicyclist (eg. a bicyclist causes you or the driver to swerve to avoid a collision and the vehicle goes in the ditch or hits something), you may be entitled to Accident Benefits through ICBC, but ICBC is not responsible for any damages you are awarded for your personal injury claim. So, unless the cyclist has assets or homeowner's insurance that would provide coverage, the injured person may be left holding the bag with life changing injuries.
Certainly on an individual level, requiring mandatory insurance for bicyclists makes sense. What about the bigger picture? Undoubtedly, it would add a layer of bureaucracy and cost to what should be the simple act of riding a bike for pleasure, exercise or commuting. What about young kids riding their bikes? Should they have to have insurance as well? As a society, we have decided that this additional cost for everyone makes up for the potential irreparable harm that can be cause on an injured individual when it comes to cars. Should bicycling be different?
