June 09, 2021

Reminder and tips from OPP, June is bicycle safety month

June is Bike Month, and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) want to remind drivers of the laws related to cycling under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA). Our roads are for the enjoyment and transportation of everyone, including cyclists. Under the HTA, a bicycle is a vehicle and cyclists are expected to follow the rules of the road.

Here are some tips to help protect cyclists:

Vehicle drivers

• Maintain at minimum a one metre distance when passing a cyclist. 
• Watch for passing cyclists when opening door into traffic.
• Slow down when overtaking a cyclist on a road.

Cyclists

• Check for vehicles and cyclists with the right-of-way before entering the intersection.  
• Keep your place in the line of traffic when approaching an intersection.  
• Ride in a single file and to the right side of the road to help vehicles make a safe pass.  
• Stop at stop signs when approaching an intersection and yield the right-of-way to traffic.

QUICK FACTS

• As of June 1st, there have been 34 collisions involving a bicycle and 2 deaths in OPP jurisdiction 
• Rules of the road like stopping at stop signs or stop lights apply to cyclists  
• Fail to keep right when driving at less than normal speed carries a $150 fine

You can visit: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/bicycle-safety.shtml for more tips on bicycle safety.

Road safety is a shared responsibility between all road users, so please do your part.

 

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