Accessibility
Vulnerable road user
Usager vulnérable de la route
Vulnerable road user is a road user whose limited physical protection increases the consequences of a collision. The category commonly includes pedestrians and cyclists, although legal definitions vary; curb design should examine exposure, visibility, speed, and crossing conflicts rather than relying only on a categorical label.
Understanding the term
Delivery workers crossing a cycle lane and passengers stepping from a vehicle can become exposed during routine curb activity. Consider their full movement paths in design review.
Assess the entire journey rather than a single compliant feature. A person must be able to approach, transfer, orient themselves, and continue to the destination under actual operating conditions. Engage people with varied access needs and document the applicable local requirements. Guidance from another jurisdiction can inform design thinking, but it does not replace the standards adopted by the responsible authority or the need to maintain access during works and daily operations.