Motor Vehicles and Cyclists Must Share the Road

To date, there have been 6 serious injury collisions involving cyclists and motor vehicles in the Region of Halton. In one of these collisions, a cyclist succumbed to her injuries.

“The rural roads in the Region of Halton offer a scenic yet demanding training ground for the avid cyclist” said Deputy Chief Percy, “whether you are driving a motor vehicle or riding a bike, everyone must respect the rules of the road or we will continue to experience these preventable and needless accidents”.

Contributing factors in the 6 accidents include speed, not sharing the roadway, no helmet and failing to obey the rules of the road. The Halton Regional Police Service considers road safety as a top priority in their daily activities and offers the following safety tips for cyclists and motorists.

• Safety starts before you even get on your bicycle. Always wear a properly fitted helmet, reflective or bright clothing and make sure your bicycle has been properly maintained.
• Under the Highway Traffic Act, a bicycle is considered a vehicle. As such cyclists have the same privileges that come along with that but also the same obligation to abide by the rules of the road.
• When riding at night your bicycle must have a white or amber light to the front and a red light or an approved reflector to the rear.
• While on a roadway, cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic. This makes you visible to drivers entering road ways or changing lanes.
• To maximize cyclist safety, ride in single file when riding in a group. In certain circumstances, cyclists may ride in tandem, particularly in large riding groups. However they must ride as close as practical to the right edge of the road except for passing or turning left.
• Motorists, be patient when passing a cyclist. Slow down and pass only when it is safe to do so, a clearance of at least 3 feet when passing a bicycle is recommended.
• Traffic lights and signs must be obeyed by everyone operating a vehicle on a roadway. Remember a yellow light means prepare to stop, not speed up.
• Always signal your intention to turn.
• Be vigilant – just because you can see a vehicle coming doesn’t mean that they see you

As we prepare for our children to go back to school our attention to bicycles and pedestrians must be at its highest level to drive and ride responsibly. The bottom line is that cyclists and motorists both have a right to enjoy our roads. Safety must always be the overriding factor in everyone’s driving habits. Drive to Arrive Alive – Share the Road.

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