Cyclist’s $3,700 bill after being hit by vehicle sparks ICBC policy change

In March, Ben Bolliger went public after receiving a hefty bill from ICBC to pay for the damage to a vehicle that hit him while he was cycling.

ICBC told the Vancouver man that he owed more than $3,700 for damage to a Mercedes Benz that hit him while he pedalled through an intersection last summer.

Bolliger tweeted about the baffling bill and claimed that ICBC said he owed the money because he was “driving an uninsured vehicle.”

This last July I got hit by a car while biking to pick up lunch by a driver who ran a stop sign on a bike route. Last week @ICBC sent me a $$3700 bill for repairs to the guys hood and windshield. pic.twitter.com/2MToIrGM5z

— Ben Bolliger (@benbolliger) March 29, 2022

So essentially - I get to pay $3700 bucks for the privilege of being hit my a teenager driving a Benz, because as ICBC points out I was "driving an uninsured vehicle" at the time of the collision ughhh I WAS ON MY BIKE! @WeAreHub @CyclingBC @CBCVancouver @georgiastraight

— Ben Bolliger (@benbolliger) March 29, 2022

His story prompted others to come forward with similar tales and it has now prompted the corporation to change its policy on when cyclists and pedestrians could be charged with damages to a vehicle when they have some responsibility for a crash.

Moving forward, ICBC will no longer seek recovery for costs in some clearly defined situations, which include:

• Where a cyclist or pedestrian has suffered a severe or catastrophic injury.
• If there has been a fatality.
• When ICBC must determine liability as 50/50 because there is not enough evidence to determine what happened (as was initially the case for Bolliger).

Thats me. broken, busted on the ground, Few minutes before the @BC_EHS got to me and about 14m from where I was hit

Witnesses and the guy who hit me. @ICBC this is wrong. pic.twitter.com/puVsG3OiY5

— Ben Bolliger (@benbolliger) April 2, 2022

“Government and ICBC listened to the concerns raised from cycling advocates and Mr. Bolliger about the decision to bill him for vehicle damage after he was involved in a collision," said Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety.

“The previous approach was not reflective of the changes we've made to auto insurance in British Columbia and that needed to be fixed."

ICBC president and CEO Nicolas Jimenez explained that Bolliger’s claim highlighted a situation where improvements needed to be made.

“Our new care-based model is just one year old and we will keep looking for ways to improve on how we deliver Enhanced Care to British Columbians,” he said.

I am hopeful that @ICBC & prov government will make improvements that will meaningfully compensate inquired vulnerable road users, and their families for catastrophic injuries, disability or a fatality, and It's something I will continue to push for.

— Ben Bolliger (@benbolliger) May 4, 2022

Before finalizing the changes, ICBC engaged in discussions with the BC Cycling Coalition and Hub Cycling to receive feedback on how the changes better meet the needs of more vulnerable road users.

Mike Koski, executive director of the BC Cycling Coalition, called the changes a move in the right direction.

“By listening and taking action, positive change was made within just a matter of weeks,” Koski noted.

As for Bolliger, ICBC said it was recently provided with a final police report on his claim and the new information has led to a change in the liability decision.

The driver of the vehicle is now considered 100% responsible for the crash and Bolliger is not responsible for any damages or costs.

He will also be fully compensated for damages to his bicycle and any other items.