June is Bike Month and the Ontario Provincial Police are doing what they can to help keep riders safe on the roads and educating cyclists and drivers.
Over the month of June, the OPP will be using their social media platforms to help educate the public on how cyclists and drivers can help keep each other safe while sharing the road.
In normal years, other events would be held in person but due to the current pandemic those have been put on hold. The OPP are still wanting to get out tips and tricks on how everyone can stay safe.
OPP Constable James Stanley said that some of these tips are making sure the bike is the right size for you, make sure that you are wearing bright clothing, make sure that there are some form of lights on your bike, and one of the most important, be sure to wear a helmet.
Over the past three years, the number of bike related crashes has gone down. This year so far there have been 34 total crashes where a bike and a vehicle were involved, and 2 deaths. In 2020 the number of collisions was 170 crashes, and in 2019 that number was 199.
Vehicle Drivers
– Maintain a minimum one metre distance when passing a cyclist.
– Watch for passing cyclists when opening a 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.
– Be Safe, Be Seen. Bicycles are required to have a red light or red reflector to the rear and a white light or reflector to the front.?Red reflective tape on the rear forks and white reflective tape on the front forks is also required. Other optional equipment that is recommended is a safety flag and bright reflective clothing.
Helmets
– Every cyclist under the age of 18 must wear an approved helmet
– Riders under 16 years old:?a parent or guardian must make sure their child wears a helmet.?
– Although helmets are not compulsory for adults a helmet can greatly reduce the risk of permanent injury or death if you fall or collide.?It is strongly recommended that all riders wear properly fitted helmets.
For additional information on Ontario’s cycling laws and safety tips, visit:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/bicycle-safety.shtml
