Cycling Tips & Videos

BikeBrampton created these Cycling Safety Tips videos.

Watch these short videos to learn tips for making your trips safer and more fun on the roads and trails of Brampton and Caledon.

Air: Be sure you have enough air in your tires.
Brakes: Look to see that your brake pads are not worn, and that the front and rear brakes work and will stop you.
Chain: Look to see that the chain is not rusted and it is free of gunk.
Quick Release: Make sure all quick releases are closed and secure.
Check: Pick up your bike and gently drop to make sure nothing is loose. Take a slow brief ride to check that your bike is working properly.

Consider a safe speed for the weather, sightlines and crowds. Share multi-use paths and yield to pedestrians. Vehicles must give you at least 1 metre when passing. It’s the law in Ontario. Treat others with respect. If you want to ride quickly, choose the road instead of the shared path.

Slow down and ring your bell when passing to keep other cyclists, pedestrians and pets safe.

Wear visible clothing. Use reflectors and lights; white on the front and red on the rear. Lights on 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunrise. That’s the law in Ontario. Use white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on the rear stays.

It’s the law in Ontario that your bike have a bell or horn. Ring well in advance to make sure you are heard. Call out “passing on your left” when passing a pedestrian or another cyclist on the trail. Ring your bell on blind corners.

Consider a louder horn for road traffic.

Perform a shoulder check before signaling or stopping. Signal your intension to stop or turn. Being predictable is key to increasing your safety.

Stay to the right side of the path unless passing. Stay as far to the right as practicable, but keep 1 metre away from the curb to avoid hitting the curb, grates or uneven pavement.

Avoid sudden stops or changes in direction. Obey traffic rules. Leave tricks for BMX parks!

Be aware on dashed bike lanes at intersections. Cyclists are sharing their bike lane with merging vehicles turning right.

Slow down at blind corners. Look farther down the path to see who is coming and who is blocking. Look for ‘escape routes’ where you can go off the path if necessary. Look for rough or uneven pavement, broken glass or other obstructions.

Watch for changing conditions, crowds, weather, trail surface. Use your brakes evenly, putting pressure on both front and rear brakes for smooth slowing and stopping.

Wear whatever makes you comfortable! Dress for the weather. Winter is fine if you are dressed for it. ‘Pogie’ handlebar covers are like oven mitts for your bike! Cycle in the rain. Even garbage bags work! Install a rack, basket, carrier or wear a back pack to carry your groceries and gear. Wear sunscreen, bring a refillable water bottle and nutritious snacks. Have fun!

City of Brampton Trail Etiquette

City of Brampton created these trail user safety tips for both cyclists and pedestrians.

Bike Lane Safety 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. The video has also been produced with Punjabi subtitles, thanks to our partner, Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS).

Bonus tips on how to avoid the dreaded “Right Hook” at intersections, and avoid receiving the “Door Prize” when passing a parked car have been included for extra safety!

Yes, kids would prefer to cycle to school. Sometimes they haven’t even thought of it before. Research shows that riding to school helps prepare children mentally and physically for a day in the classroom. It also builds a lifetime of good habits.

Check out Peel Walk + Roll material and the Brampton Kids on Bikes Project report to learn more.

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