As the good weather continues across the area, more people are out and about on their bicycles. Riding a bicycle is something people of all ages can enjoy. In Ontario, if you’re 16 or older, you’re also allowed to ride an e-bike. Whether you’re young or old, there are important safety tips and rules to help keep you safe on the road.
Cyclists can ride on most roads, bike lanes, and multi-use trails. However, cyclists are not allowed to ride on controlled-access highways like Ontario’s 400-series highways, sidewalks, or in crosswalks and pedestrian crossovers. If you need to cross a street in one of these areas, you must get off and walk your bike across. Children under 10 can ride on sidewalks until they’re ready to safely ride in traffic.
When riding, you should stay to the right side of the road and ride in a straight line, about one metre from the curb or any parked cars.
Helmets are very important for safety. Cyclists under 18 must wear a helmet by law, and parents are responsible for making sure kids under 16 wear one. Even though adults are not required to wear a helmet, it is strongly recommended for everyone.
In Ontario, bicycles are treated like vehicles, which means cyclists must follow all traffic laws, just like drivers. This includes obeying traffic lights and not carrying passengers unless your bike is built for more than one person.
Drivers are also expected to respect cyclists. By law, a car must leave at least one metre of space when passing a bicycle if it’s safe to do so. Cyclists, in turn, should make room on the right side of the road when being passed.