Injury Law Group Blog

Sharing the Road Safely with Cyclists

Personal Injury Law

It’s the Law:

One Metre Passing Law: Drivers should be reminded of this law as of September 2015.  There should be one metre of room between a cyclist and your vehicle.  Some drivers were concerned about crossing the centre dividing line to allow for the one metre gap, and police have said drivers can do so when it is warranted and safe.  When it is unsafe and there is oncoming traffic in the opposing lane, the motorist should stay behind the cyclist until the way is clear. 

If drivers do not leave this one-metre space, the total payable fine is $110.00.  If this is contested in court, there may be a fine up to $500 if found guilty, as well as two demerit points against the driver’s record. 

Cyclists are not required to leave a specific one-metre space; however, they are required to obey all the rules of the road.   Cyclists who are being overtaken should turn out to the right to allow the vehicle to pass.

“Dooring”: This is someone who opens a parked motor vehicle door into the path of cyclists and other traffic.  There is a fine of $365 plus 3 demerit points, and drivers who chose to contest the charge could be subject to a fine up to $1000.00.

Lighting: Cyclists must have proper lights, reflective materials and reflectors on their bicycles.  When traveling on a highway and there is insufficient light and the vehicles on the highway are not clearly visible at 150 metres or less, every bicycle must have a lighted lamp with a white or amber light on its front and a lighted red light or reflector on its rear, with white reflective material on its front forks and red reflective material covering a surface of not less than 250m long and 25mm wide placed on its rear.  The fine for improper bicycle lighting is $110. 

Helmets: If under 18, you must be wearing an approved helmet, though it is strongly recommended that all riders wear helmets.

Tips for Drivers:

• Do not follow closely behind cyclists, as they do not have brake lights to warn when they are slowing/stopping.

• Intersections: When turning right, signal and check your mirrors and blind spot to the right to make sure you are not cutting off a cyclist.
• When turning left, stop and wait for oncoming bikes before making your turn.

• Scan for bicycles waiting to turn left when driving though an intersection.

• Do not sound your horn if unnecessary when passing a cyclist as it may frighten them and cause them to lose control.If you need to use it, tap quickly and lightly at a distance away from the cyclist.

• Pay attention to cyclists’ hand signals.

Tips for Cyclists

• Cyclists must obey all traffic laws and have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers.

• When riding on the right, you must stay as close to the right edge of the road when possible, especially if you are riding slower than the traffic.

• You can ride on most roads, except for controlled access highways such as the Ontario 400 series, and across a road with a pedestrian crossover (where you must walk your bike to the other side).

• Cyclists are allowed to ride on paved shoulders of highways that are not controlled-access, improving safety and creating more space.

• Ride with the flow of traffic (unless you are in a contra-flow bike lane that is clearly marked).

• Keep a safe distance from vehicles.

• Use proper hand signals to indicate turns, lane changes, and stops.

For more information on how to drive, cycle, and share the road safely, visit the following links:

https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook/sharing-road-other-road-users#section-1

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/bill-31.shtml

https://www.caasco.com/OM/Advocacy/HeadsUpOntario/Cycling-Safety.aspx