Cycling Tips

BikeBrampton has created Cycling Tips on our own and in partnership to make cycling in Brampton safer.

Bike Lane Tips

BikeBrampton created this video for Brampton’s COVID-19 interim bike lanes. These tips on how to safely enter and exit bike lanes from intersections and adjacent pathways are good safety messages for general cycling in traffic.

Avoid the dreaded “Right Hook” at Intersections

Cyclists must be constantly aware of their surroundings, especially at intersections.

A vehicle making a right turn may not see, or may misjudge the speed of the cyclist. This is the greatest possibility for the “right hook”. Assume the driver does not see you. Slow down, even if you have a green light and the right of way. Do a shoulder check to see if a vehicle is signalling to turn right or even if you THINK they might turn right.

If the traffic light is red, you can stop at the intersection stop line and take the lane. If you are still more confident, you can move to the left side of the curb lane at the stop line to allow vehicles indicating a right turn to make their turn on the red. Take the middle of the lane as the light changes to green to make sure no one passes you on the right.

Treat every driveway as an intersection!

This is especially true at the driveway entrance/exit to retail stores and malls! As noted above, assume the vehicles will not see you and will misjudge your speed. Slow down and make eye contact with the driver.

You can choose to wave them through, especially if you are not sure they are stopping for you to proceed. Similarly, assume the drivers exiting the mall will not see you.

Avoid the dreaded “Door Prize” when passing a parking vehicle

Pass a parked car, allowing 1 metre of space. The driver could give you the “DOOR PRIZE”, by opening their door just as you try to pass! Door prizes and right hooks are the dreaded two-some for lack of attention when cycling in traffic! It may be the driver’s fault, but the cyclist pays the price.