Rules of the Road for Safe Cycling

Here are the cycling safety recommendations, as taught by CAN-BIKE through MPI’s Cycling Champions Course:

GEAR

Helmet: Wearing a helmet reduces your chance of head injury by 85%

• To be effective, a helmet must be properly fitted and fastened
• Use to 2-V-1 Rule
  • 2 fingers above the eyebrows
  • Straps form ‘V’ under the ears
  • 1 finger under the chin strap
• Replace your helmet if:
  • You’ve had an accident
  • There is any apparent damage
  • There is any cracking in the shell or styrofoam
  • Any of the straps or buckles are damaged

Clothing: Wear bright coloured clothing and reflective gear, such as; a strap or vest, when applicable (this is not mandatory, but is recommended when cycling in the dark)

Glasses: Wearing glasses will help protect your eyes from flying debris and dust

Gloves: Wearing gloves helps with grip when wet and protects hands in case of a fall

Gear: Bicycle safety equipment

• Lights from dusk till dawn
  • White/amber on the front (required by law)
  • Red flashing on the rear (reflector minimum required by law)
• Reflective tape/bands
  • Front and rear as well as on your clothing
  • Wrist and ankle bands recommended
• Bell/Whistle/Horn
  • Used to warn others when overtaking them

Accessories:

• Fenders
  • Helps to keep lights and reflectors clean
  • Keeps your clothes cleaner and dryer
• Rack and Panniers
  • Mount on the front or rear
  • Preferred over backpacks, which can reduce one’s ability to manoeuvre
• Water Bottle
  • Have a bottle with you to keep hydrated while you ride
• Mirrors
  • Keep in mind, having a mirror does not replace the need for a shoulder check

CYCLING POSITION

Riding on the Right:

• Generally, you follow the right-most lane that will take you where you want to go
• Exceptions to this rule include, but are not limited to:
  • You are turning left
  • You are passing a slower vehicle (on the left)
  • One way streets

Alertness:

• Always be aware of your surroundings and be ready to react

Manoeuvrability:

• Leave yourself enough room to manoeuvre at all times
  • A cyclist is to ride as far to the right of the road as safe and practicable
  • ‘Practicable’ means it is for you to decide where it is safe to ride
    • It is recommended that cyclists ride approximately one metre from the curb
  • Don’t ride too close to the curb, as you will be forced to  move into traffic to avoid potholes, debris, car doors, and joints
    • Some situations may require you to ride further from the curb, such as;
      • Narrow lanes
      • Construction zones
      • Poor road conditions
      • Riding at the same speed

Visibility:

• Stay in the motorist’s field of vision
• Wear appropriate safety equipment and clothing
• Stay out of the door zone

Predictability/Consistency:

• Ride in a straight line
  • Avoid weaving in and out of parked cars

Communication:

• Signal to let other road users know what you are doing
• Shoulder checking is a helpful sign to indicate that you are about to make a move, but this doesn’t mean you can go without a signal
• Shoulder check, signal, check again!
  • For signals, find them on page 8 of MPI’s cycling booklet

TURNS

Cyclists should do their best to plan turns in advance, especially on multi-lane roadways. Positioning and communication can help make turns safer.

Right Turns:

• When approaching an intersection, shoulder check to ensure it is safe to do so, then move closer to the middle of the right-most lane
  • This position will maximize your visibility and will discourage drivers from attempting to pass you
  • Follow the same path that a motor vehicle would take, arriving in the centre of the lane
  • After completing the turn, signal accordingly and return to the right-most practicable position

Left Turns:

• Left turns are more challenging and require more planning, as a cyclist moves into active traffic lanes
  • Never make a left turn from the right side of the road
  • Shoulder check well in advance of your turn to determine the best opportunity to change positions in the roadway. This may require several shoulder checks before signalling and changing lanes
  • After the roadway is cleared or there is an opening in traffic, signal, then begin moving to the left to position yourself for a left turn
• The Highway Traffic Act does not specify a cyclist’s proper position in turn lanes, however, it is recommended that the cyclist stays in the centre of the left turning lane.
  • This position ensures visibility and prevents other vehicles behind from passing on the left or right
  • Always check oncoming traffic, including any vehicles turning right onto the same road you are entering
• When turning, follow the same path that a motor vehicle would take, arriving in the centre of the lane.
  • Once established after the turn, signal and return to the right-most practicable position when it is safe to do so

Multi-Lane Turns:

• When turning onto a roadway with multiple lanes, always travel from the left lane to left lane (inside to inside)
• Once you have completed the turn, shoulder check, signal and move to the appropriate position along the right side

Multi-Turn Lanes:

• When there is more than one turn lane, you should pick the lane best suited to your destination
  • If you are planning to carry on straight or make a right turn after your initial turn, choose the right-most turn lane
  • If you are planning to turn left again shortly after your initial turn, choose the left-most turn lane

Pedestrian Turns:

• When traffic is too heavy for you to negotiate your turn, you can always revert to being a pedestrian
  • Ride to the opposite side of the intersection and dismount your bike
  • Cross the intersection as a pedestrian
  • Remount on the other side once traffic has cleared

Yields:

• When proceeding through a yield, it is recommended that cyclists move closer to the middle of the right-most lane.
  • This position ensures visibility and prevents other vehicles behind from trying to overtake you and squeezing you out along the curb
  • Shoulder check and signal before moving over in the lane
  • Once you have completed the turn, signal and return to the right-most practicable position

AVOIDING HAZARDS

Sidewalk Riding:

• Unless your tire diameter is 41 cm or less, it is illegal to ride on a sidewalk
  • It is also dangerous, with over 20% of bicycle vehicle collision claims occurring when leaving a sidewalk and crossing a road, due to low visibility and unpredictability

Road Hazards:

• In poor weather, leave extra room for manoeuvring and stopping
• Avoid roadway cracks or joints running parallel to the road
• Avoid puddles as they hide potholes, broken glass, and other hazards
• Avoid sewer grates with openings running parallel to the road
• Always cross railway tracks at a right angle

Night Riding:

• Riding at night, especially dawn and dusk can be more dangerous
• Be visible by wearing bright colours (like white or yellow) and reflective material
  • Use reflective bands on your wrists to make hand signals more visible
  • You must (according to the Highway Traffic Act) have a white light at the front and a red amber reflector at the rear

SAFE USE OF INFRASTRUCTURE

Diamond Lanes:

• Lanes specifically reserved for buses, cyclists, and emergency vehicles
• Created to increase the speed and reliability of transit service while providing a safe lane for cyclists
• Motorists can only enter a diamond lane to make a right turn at the next intersection
  • Some diamond lanes are in effect all the time, while others are reserved for certain days and times
  • Ensure that you check the sign to see when these routes are in force
• It is recommended that you ride in the middle of the lane to avoid being squeezed out by large buses
  • However, it is important to use good judgement when determining your position
  • Unless you are able to stay in front of the bus, slow down and remain behind the bus to avoid leapfrogging

Bike Lanes:

• Painted lanes provide cyclists with a defined space, providing a visual sign to drivers that cyclists have a right to the road
• Vehicles are to stay out of bike lanes but are able to cross them at any time
  • Stay alert for motorists crossing to park or make a right turn
  • Stay alert for motorists exiting a parked car (i.e. stay out of the door zone)
• Never turn left from a bike lane

Sharrows:

• Encourages cyclists and motorists to ‘Share the Road’
  • Generally intended for roadways with lanes wide enough for ‘side-by-side’ operation
  • However, motorists must always pass at a safe distance and cyclists should never pass on the right side

Traffic Calming Circles and Roundabouts:

• Travel through the circle in a counter-clockwise direction, entering and exiting the circle has the right of way
  • A motorist or cyclist already in the circle has the right of way
  • Like a four-way stop, if you arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on the right
• Watch for pedestrians and be prepared to stop

Multi-Use Paths:

• Intended for use by a variety of users including cyclists, pedestrians, and rollerbladers
• Paths are physically separated from roadways
  • Courtesy and communication are keys when using these paths
  • Slow down when passing other users
  • Remain vigilant when the path crosses a roadway

There you have it!

To ensure same Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights – cyclists have to do their best to follow the rules.

If you have any further questions, refer to the Bike Safety Handbook or comment below.