Bicycles have become a staple of transportation in many cities. Cycling to work or other places can be both environmentally and economically friendly. You may be considering cycling more places and wondering what your rights are on Ontario roads. We’ve broken down your general rights in this article.
Where can you ride your bike?
The Ontario government advises that cyclists can ride in the following places:
- Most roads
- Bicycle lanes and cycling routes
- Multi-use trails and paths
It is important to note that cyclists are expected to stay to the right. The Ontario government suggests that when being passed while riding stay as close to the right as possible for safety reasons and attempt to stay one metre from parked cars and the curb. However, this does not mean you are always prohibited from being on the left side.
The government advises cyclists can be in left lanes when:
- Preparing to turn left
- Passing another vehicle
- Going faster than other vehicles
- Traveling in a lane too narrow to share
Where must you not ride your bike?
The Ontario government advises that cyclists cannot ride in the following places:
- On controlled access highways, such as Ontario’s 400-series highways
- Within a pedestrian crossover to cross the street (when you want to cross a road that has a pedestrian crossover you will need to walk your bike to the other side of the crosswalk)
- Within a crosswalk at any intersection or location with traffic signals
- On sidewalks (except children under 10 can ride on the sidewalk until they develop the necessary skills to ride on the road)
Is wearing a helmet a legal requirement?
If you are 18 years or older you are not legally required to wear a helmet (though it is strongly recommended for your safety). By law, cyclists under the age of 18 must wear an approved bicycle helmet.
An approved bicycle helmet means:
- There is a two-finger-width distance between the front of the helmet and the wearer’s eyebrows
- The straps form a “v” shape under the ears
- There has to be a one-finger-width space between the strap and the wearer’s chin
Additionally for children 16 and under a parent/guardian is responsible for making sure they wear a helmet. As well, children as required to wear an approved helmet even when they are in a child carrier (attached to a bike) or a bicycle trailer.
Is there any other equipment required by law?
You are required by law to have the following equipment:
- Bell or horn
- Light and reflectors (white light at the front of the bike and red light at the back of the bike)
- White reflective tape on front forks and red reflective tape on rear forks
What other legal responsibilities do cyclists have?
According to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, bicycles are legally considered to be a vehicle and are treated as such.
This means as a cyclist you are expected to do the following things:
- Obey all traffic laws that you would if you were in a vehicle. If there are both traffic signals and bicycle signals installed, cyclists must follow the bicycle signal. If there is only traffic signal, follow that.
- Follow the same rights and responsibilities of drivers. This means following traffic signals, watching out for pedestrians and other vehicles, and avoiding risky moves.
- Never carry a passenger on your bicycle if the bicycle is only meant for one person.
Are there any laws that protect cyclists from drivers?
The following laws/requirements are in place to protect cyclists from drivers:
One-metre passing law
There is a one-metre passing law designed to protect cyclists from vehicles. The law enacts that when passing a cyclist, drivers must maintain a minimum distance of one metre between their vehicle and the cyclist. If this is not obeyed drivers can be fined $110. Whereas cyclists are not legally required to stay one metre from moving vehicles. This does not mean that cyclists should completely ignore moving vehicles or the legal rules of the road. Cyclists are still expected to obey all traffic laws and signals. If you find yourself being overtaken by a vehicle, it is suggested that you move to the right to allow the vehicle to pass.
Drivers should never park or block bike lanes
Vehicles are not supposed to park or block bike lanes. If they are found to do this, drivers can receive a penalty of $33. This should help keep lanes clear for cyclists’ safety.
Drivers should avoid improper opening of doors on roads
When drivers park on the side of the road (where allowed) they are supposed to check blind spots and look for cyclists before opening doors. If they are found to open the door improperly, they could be subjected to fine of $300 and 3 demerit points. This is to help cyclists avoid serious injury.
In sum, your rights on the road as a cyclist are very similar to the rights you have while driving a vehicle. Especially since under the highway traffic act, a bicycle is considered a vehicle. As a cyclist, you should expect to have to follow all traffic signals and any additional legal requirements involving equipment for the bicycle.
For further information follow this guide provided by the Ontario Government that lists the rights of cyclists: https://www.ontario.ca/page/bicycle-safety. For the Hamilton-specific guide visit: https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/getting-around/biking-cyclists/cycling-safety-education.
