9 Rules of the Road for Cyclists

July 17, 2017, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Cyclists have rights and obligations under Ontario legislation. Cyclists are also entitled to benefits in most cases when they are hit by another vehicle. You can read about that here.

There is a lot of confusion among drivers and cyclists about the rules of the road for bikes. Here are ten things you should know:

1. Bike Lanes - Cars must always check and yield before entering a bike lane or making a right hand turn through one. If you are driving and want to turn right you should do a very careful shoulder check for cyclists on the bike lane. If you MUST yield to the bikes that are in the lane.
    
2. Helmets - In Ontario you do not need to wear a helmet if you are over 18. You can receive a $75 ticket if you are biking without a helmet.
    
3. Stop Signs - Cyclists must stop at STOP signs in Ontario.
    
4. Accidents – If the damage is over $2000 combined OR if anyone is injured OF if you feel threatened in any way then you should call 911. If you do not call 911 you should exchange information. Be certain to get the driver licence number, licence plate and insurance information of the car driver as you may be able to claim accident benefits if you are injured.
    
5. Bells – In Ontario Cyclists are required to have a bell and lights on their bicycles.
    
6. Dooring Cyclists – if a driver hits a cyclist with a door while exiting the vehicle they are indeed at fault. The fine is $365 and three demerit points. In most dooring cases the cyclist will be seriously injured. You should call 911 to report the incident. If the driver tries to leave then take an image of the car, the licence plate and get any eye witness information as well.
    
7. Fair Use of the Road – In Ontario a cyclist MUST be given at least one metre of clearance, and they are entitled to use the entire lane of traffic when necessary. Police recommend that cyclists travel closer to the curb though.
    
8. Turning and Changing Lanes – the rules of the road apply here. The vehicle/bike entering the lane must wait for an appropriate opening before entering the lane.
    
9. Lights on Bikes – the same rules apply as on cars. All bikes MUST have a white front light and red rear light or reflector. The lights MUST be on from ½ hour before sunset to ½ hour after dawn. LED headlights are the strongest and best, and blinking LED red taillights provide the best visibility. Many cyclsits keep the rear light on all the time.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.