#Cycle ON: Ontario’s Cycling Strategy Action Plan 2.0

Cycling is a core part of Ontario’s transportation system and is integral to fostering healthier and more prosperous communities. Increasing cycling opportunities in Ontario offers many benefits, including improved well-being, lower rates of chronic conditions and reduced health care costs as a result of active living, reduced traffic congestion in urban areas, a cleaner environment and increased tourism opportunities across the province.

To promote cycling and cycling safety in Ontario, the provincial government released #CycleON: Ontario’s Cycling Strategy in 2013. #CycleON is a 20-year vision to have cycling recognized as a respected and valued mode of transportation within Ontario. It includes five strategic directions to guide action by the government and partners across Ontario:

Design healthy, active and prosperous communities
Improve cycling infrastructure
Make highways and streets safer
Promote cycling awareness and behavioural shifts
Increase cycling tourism opportunities

#CycleON is being implemented through a series of multi-year action plans, rolled out every five years. #CycleON Action Plan 1.0, released in 2014, was the first in the series. Action Plan 2.0 will be implemented between 2018 and 2023.

Ministry of Transportation & Brampton By-Law Rules for Cycling

A bicycle is a vehicle under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. [H.T.A. 1. (1)]
Cyclists must obey traffic laws and can be fined for breaking them. [“Cycling and The Law”, Ministry of Transportation]
Ride as near to the right hand side of the road as practicable unless they are: Passing other vehicles [By-law 93-93, 11. (3)]; Turning left; Travelling in a lane that is too narrow to share
Allow faster vehicles to pass [H.T.A. 148]
Ride in a straight line at least 1 metre away from parked vehicles
In urban areas a cyclist may take the lane if it is too narrow to share safely with motorists [“Riding in Traffic”, Ministry of Transportation]
Keep their feet on their pedals
Keep both hands on the handlebars, except for the purpose of signalling
Not perform tricks [By‑law 93‑93, 11. (1)]
Not attach their bicycle or themselves to another vehicle on the road [H.T.A. 178 (1.)]
Only carry the number of passengers the bicycle is designed for [H.T.A. 178 (1.)]
Park on a road to cause the least possible obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular traffic [By-law 93-93, 11. (4)]
Stay off sidewalks unless both bicycle wheels are less than 50 cm (24 in) or the sidewalk is designated as a multi-use path
Motor assisted bicycles and e-bikes cannot use any sidewalk or multi‑use trail [By-law 93-93, 10. (1)]
Cyclists must walk across a pedestrian crosswalk [H.T.A. 140(1), 144(29)]
Stop for red lights and stop signs [H.T.A. 144]
Stop for stopped school buses when the red lights are flashing [H.T.A. 175 (12.)]
Travel according to the designated direction on one‑way streets [H.T.A. 153]
Comply with all other posted traffic signs
Use hand signals to indicate turns or lane changes including taking the lane [H.T.A. 142 (1.)]

Pedestrian Crossovers & School Crossings

Drivers and cyclists must stop and yield the whole roadway at pedestrian crossovers; and at school crossings where there is a crossing guard displaying a school crossing stop sign. Only when pedestrians and school crossing guards are safely on the sidewalk, can drivers and cyclists proceed.

Pedestrian Crossing Safety Rules apply at pedestrian crossovers identified with specific signs, road markings and lights –  rules do not apply to pedestrian crosswalks at intersections with stop signs or traffic signals, unless a school crossing guard is present.

Safety Items

Lights and Reflectors

White or amber light on the front
Red light or reflector on the back
White reflective material must be placed on the front forks
Red reflective material, no less than 250 mm in length must be placed on the rear stays
[H.T.A. 62 (17.)]

Brakes

At least one brake on the rear wheel
When applied the braked wheel must be able to skid on dry, level and clean pavement.
[H.T.A. 64 (3.)]

Bell, Horn or Gong

A bell, gong, or horn in good working order
Must be used when approaching pedestrians or others
[H.T.A. 75 (5.)]

Helmet

Persons under 18 years of age must wear a helmet
Parents or guardians are responsible for the helmet law compliance of persons 16 years of age or under
Helmets must be securely fastened under the chin
[H.T.A. 104. (2.1), R.R.O. 1990, REGULATION 610 5.]
[H.T.A. 104. (2.2)]
See posting about helmet research and brain injuries

 

 

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