COMMUNITY
Steer Clear
Summertime means our roads and trails are busy with bicyclists. Obeying the rules of the road and prioritizing safety are important for riders of all ages.
By Lisa van de Geyn
Whether you’re riding for fun, fitness or your daily commute, follow the rules of the road and stay safe this summer. | PHOTOS: (ABOVE) RYAN LEE/DESTINATION ONTARIO; (BELOW) ADOBE STOCK. ICONS: GOOGLE ICONS
ONTARIANS LOVE THEIR BIKES. According to the advocacy group Share the Road Cycling Coalition, almost half of Ontario’s population gets on a bicycle (46 percent) to ride occasionally, with 22 percent (3.2 million riders) reporting that they ride frequently — almost daily if not every day. A majority of Ontarians (68 percent) get on a bike at least once a month.
With our less-than-ideal riding weather all but stopping cyclists from riding through winter and early spring, they need to make the most of warm weather. For some, that means making the bicycle their main mode of transportation.
Whether out riding to take in the sights, getting in cardio or commuting, remember to share the road and keep an eye out for one another, no matter what vehicle you drive. Under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, your bike is considered a vehicle, just like a car, and that means all the rules apply to you, too.
Go all out for these tried-and-true tips and help keep everyone safe this summer:
Drivers, take extra care around cyclists and keep the road safe for all users.
Wear a helmet.
Helmets are vital when you’re riding, so ensure yours fits properly and meets current safety standards. Children under 18 are legally required to wear a helmet, but with a 62-percent reduction in injury when helmets are worn, according to a comprehensive Norwegian helmet study released last year, they’re important for all cyclists to wear.
Obey all traffic laws.
Stop at stop signs and red lights and follow all road signs.
Ride sober.
You should never cycle while impaired. Intoxication is a significant risk factor for accidents, so it should be avoided. If you’re on a traditional unmotorized bicycle, you’re not considered a motorized vehicle and cannot be charged under the criminal code for driving under the influence, but if you cause an accident, you can still be held responsible.
Be seen.
Outfit yourself in bright clothing and use reflectors and reflective tape on your bike (white on the front forks, red on the back), helmet and clothes.
Light up.
You’ll need a white light on the front of your bike, and a red rear light for night rides. These lights are required to be on 30 minutes before sunset right through to 30 minutes after sunrise.
Be heard.
A horn or bell is required by law and should be easily accessible when you need to make other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians aware of your presence.
Use hand signals.
You need to let other cyclists and drivers know where you’re going. Your left arm should be out straight when you’re making a left turn, and on right angle up for a right turn, and on a right angle down with your palm facing back to indicate you’re slowing down or stopping.
Stay to the right.
The rule of the road is that slower traffic stays to the right, so you’ll be in the right lane unless you’re turning left. Keep within one metre of the curb or parked cars whenever possible and move over to the right as much as you can when cars are passing you. And always move over to allow emergency vehicles to get by.