Everyone who uses the road must operate with an awareness and respect for other individuals they share the road with. Bicyclists on the road have many of the same rights and duties as motorists. This means bicyclists must obey the rules of the road as outlined in the Highway Traffic Act, and are entitled to use the road space in accordance with those rules.
Safety information for people who ride bikes and/or cars:
Helmets
- Cyclists of all ages are required to wear a safety helmet that fits properly and is securely fastened.
Always ride with traffic & follow the rules of the road
- Cyclists must ride with the flow of traffic, not against it. This enhances the visibility and predictability of the cyclist to motorists, especially at intersections and driveways.
- Ride in a straight line. Don’t weave in and out of traffic. Drivers are used to the patterns of other drivers, and the more predictably you ride, the safer you are.
- Cyclists must obey all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings and yield to traffic when appropriate, including pedestrians.
Use & recognize hand signals
- Hand signals indicate what a cyclists plans to do next. Cyclists should use hang signals as a matter of law, courtesy and self-protection. Motorists and pedestrians should know and properly interpret hand signals and respond accordingly.
Hand Signal for STOP:
Hand Signal for RIGHT TURN:
OPTION 1 & OPTION 2
Hand Signal for LEFT TURN:
Visibility & Awareness
- When riding at night, cyclists must ensure that their bike has a light that emits a light visible to a distance of 150m on the front of their bike, and a red reflector that is visible from 90m from the rear. It is helpful to wear bright or reflective clothing.
- A cyclist should never assume a motorist sees them, or will give the right of way. Stay alert and expect the unexpected; try to make eye contact with other drivers at intersections/crosswalks before moving ahead.
- Never wear headphones when driving a motor vehicle or bicycle – they block out sounds you need to hear.
- Motorists should check for an oncoming cyclist before opening their car door & cyclists should watch closely when driving alongside parked vehicles for a car door opening unexpectedly.
- Never operate a motor-vehicle or bicycle under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. This is illegal and severely compromises road safety for all users.
- FOCUS. Avoid using cell phones or other distracting personal devices operating a motor vehicle or bicycle.
Passing and Turning
- All bicycles must be equipped with a bell or other device that is audible for 30m of distance. Sound the bell when approaching other cyclists, pedestrians, or motorists with an intention to pass.
- If the movement can be made in safety, a motorist that is passing a bicyclist may cross a solid line in order to complete the pass.
- When a motorist is passing a bicyclist they must leave a distance of one meter, or as near to that as is possible in the circumstances, between the motor vehicle they are operating and the bicycle they are passing. The one meter of distance refers to the distance between the side of the motor vehicle nearest the bicycle, and the side of the bicycle nearest the motor vehicle.
- Cyclists should keep right on roadways whenever it is safe and practical for them to do so. If the road is too narrow for a cyclist to ride abreast motor vehicle traffic on the right hand side, bicyclists can ride in or near the center of the lane for more visibility and safety and motorists should accommodate this adjustment.
- Motorists should always look to their right before turning to avoid cutting off a cyclist. (See image below)
Review the official Highway Traffic Act