More than 225 Motorcycle and bicycle collisions reported in 2018 – Waterloo Region Police

April 03, 2019, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

The WRPS reported that in 2018 there were 126 crashes involving bicycles and another 102 that involved motorcycles in the Region alone. They are releasing this information along with warnings that the warmer weather is coming and with it the bikes and motorcycles will be back on the roads.

Police add that just about half of the accidents were the fault of the riders while the other fifty percent of the motorcycle and bicycle accidents were the fault of car drivers. The MTO is releasing safety tips for motorcycle riders and cyclists.

If you are out on the roads driving, please take extra time to watch for cyclists and motorcycles on the roads. Riders should be obeying all speed limits and rules of the road. Both riders and drivers should be aware of the hazards that pot holes pose for riders of two wheeled vehicles.

Remember that if you are injured in a bicycle accident with a car you may be entitled to accident benefits. Call us for more information.

The following are excerpts from the MTO website.

Cyclist Safety tips:

• must obey all traffic laws
• have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers
• cannot carry passengers - if your bicycle is only meant for one person

Riding on the right

You must stay as close to the right edge of the road whenever possible, especially if you're slower than other traffic.

Where you can ride

You can ride on most roads, except:

• controlled access highways, such as Ontario's 400-series highways
• across a road within a pedestrian cross-over - you must walk your bike to the other side

Bike helmets

Children and youth

By law, every cyclist under age 18 must wear an approved helmet.

Riders under 16 years old: a parent or guardian must make sure their child wears a helmet.

Adults

Helmets are not compulsory for adults over 18; but 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 helmets.

Types of helmets

The best helmets:

• are made to meet strict safety standards

• fit properly when worn correctly

Bicycle safety resources

For more information about cycling safety, check out:

• CAN-BIKE, a series of education and skill courses on cycling safely

• Canada's Independent Bicycle Retailers Association

• the Toronto Cycling Committee: a citizen's advisory group on bike-related policies

• the Share the Road Cycling Coalition: an organization that works to make communities more bicycle-friendly

• CAA Bike Safety: safety tips for cyclists and drivers

• ServiceOntario Publications: order copies of Cycling Skills and the Young Cyclist's Guide

Motor Cycle Safe and Responsible driving

Driving defensively

Driving a motorcycle or moped in traffic is more dangerous than driving a car or truck. That is why it is so important to learn the basic skills of driving before you attempt driving in traffic. When driving in traffic, you will need to focus all your attention on what you are seeing and hearing, and then judging what is going to happen next.

This chapter tells you about the most important principles of safe and responsible driving. These include seeing and being seen; clearly communicating with other drivers; keeping a cushion of space around your motorcycle for safety; and positioning yourself in the best possible spot on the road. Together these strategies are the basis for what is called defensive driving or strategic driving.

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.