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Cycling Law London & Ontario

General Law

 

What Equipment do I require on my bicycle?

Bicycles are classified as vehicles under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. By law all bicycles must have:

  • A horn or bell (must be in good working order and audible). Siren horns are prohibited.
  • A Brake. At least one is required and it must be located on the rear wheel.
  • Lightset (Dawn/Dusk) - Lightset (Dawn/Dusk) – When riding between ½ hour before sunset and ½ hour after sunrise a light set is required. This is defined as a white front light and a red rear light or reflector. 
    • Reflective tape - white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on the rear forks

Quick Note regarding Reflective Tape & Lights. These items are only required if riding at dawn/dusk or in "insufficent light or unfavourable conditions" meaning fog, rain, etc. At all other times these specific items are not legally required. See the direct quote below;

Lights and reflectors on bicycles, etc.

(17) When on a highway at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, every motor-assisted bicycle and bicycle (other than a unicycle) shall carry a lighted lamp displaying a white or amber light on its front and a lighted lamp displaying a red light or a reflector on its rear, and in addition white reflective material shall be placed on its front forks, and red reflective material covering a surface of not less than 250 millimetres in length and 25 millimetres in width shall be placed on its rear. 2015, c. 14, s. 21 (2).

Responsibilities of a Cyclist

  • Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and walk your bike when crossing in a crosswalk.

 

  • Take the whole lane when appropriate, especially at intersections and roundabouts.

 

  • Ride straight - do not weave around parked vehicles or into crosswalks at intersections. Use hand signals and look for clues from other drivers - make eye contact.

 

  • Ride defensively - think and look well ahead. Ride a door's width from parked vehicles to avoid being hit by a door suddenly opening.

 

  • Legally, cyclists are permitted to ride on any part of the roadway. On narrow roads where there is not enough space to share with other traffic, a cyclist is allowed to ride in the middle of the lane. It is important to maintain at least a meter on either side of your bike wherever possible.  Leaving room will help you avoid road hazards and move over if passed too closely.

 

  • Shoulder check, signal and change lanes or move toward the centre of the roadway before turning left.

 

  • Always pass a right-turning vehicle on the left. Pass buses and trucks driving in the curb lane only on their left.

 

 

London City Bylaws Cycling

 

Riding on Sidewalks

2.12 Motor vehicle - bicycle - on sidewalk - exceptions No person shall, without lawful authority, either by himself or by permitting others, operate a motor vehicle or bicycle along a sidewalk. This section shall not apply to a person who, (a) operates an Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device due to a disability along a sidewalk; (b) operates a motor vehicle or bicycle across that portion of a sidewalk which intersects with a lawful private entrance; (c) operates a bicycle on that portion of a sidewalk which connects a bicycle path with a roadway; or (d) being under the age of 14, operates a bicycle along a sidewalk. Streets By-law S-1 – Consolidated September 02, 2014

 

 

Ontario Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8

Pertaining to Cyclists

 

 

Slow moving vehicles

2. Vehicles (other than bicycles, motor assisted bicycles and disabled motor vehicles in tow) that are not capable of attaining and sustaining a speed greater than 40 kilometres per hour on level ground when operated on a highway.

 

(6) No person shall ride a bicycle across a roadway within a pedestrian crossover.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 140 (6).

 

(5) Despite clause (4) (b), a person on a bicycle may indicate the intention to turn to the right by extending the right hand and arm horizontally and beyond the right side of the bicycle.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 142 (5).

 

Obeying lane lights

(10) Every driver shall obey every traffic control signal that applies to the lane that he or she is in and, for greater certainty, where both a traffic control signal that is not a bicycle traffic control signal and a bicycle traffic control signal apply to the same lane,

(a) a person riding or operating a bicycle in that lane shall obey the bicycle traffic control signal; and

(b) a person driving a vehicle other than a bicycle in that lane shall obey the traffic control signal that is not a bicycle traffic control signal. 2015, c. 14, s. 40 (1).

Riding in crosswalks prohibited

(29) No person shall ride or operate a bicycle across a roadway within a crosswalk at an intersection or at a location, other than an intersection, which is controlled by a traffic control signal system. 2015, c. 14, s. 40 (2).

 

Slow vehicles to travel on right side

147. (1) Any vehicle travelling upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at that time and place shall, where practicable, be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 147 (1).

 

Vehicles meeting bicycles

(4) Every person in charge of a vehicle on a highway meeting a person travelling on a bicycle shall allow the cyclist sufficient room on the roadway to pass.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 148 (4).

 

(6.1) Every person in charge of a motor vehicle on a highway who is overtaking a person travelling on a bicycle shall, as nearly as may be practicable, leave a distance of not less than one metre between the bicycle and the motor vehicle and shall maintain that distance until safely past the bicycle. 2015, c. 14, s. 42.

(6.2) The one metre distance required by subsection (6.1) refers to the distance between the extreme right side of the motor vehicle and the extreme left side of the bicycle, including all projections and attachments. 2015, c. 14, s. 42.

(3) The designation of a lane for bicycle traffic is not effective until official signs have been erected and the lane has been marked accordingly. 2015, c. 14, s. 44.

Bicycle passengers

(2) No person riding or operating a bicycle designed for carrying one person only shall carry any other person thereon.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 178 (2); 2015, c. 14, s. 52 (2).

 

New Laws Updated as of August 2015

PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS

-       Drivers must allow pedestrians to completely cross at a school and pedestrian crossing before moving forward, current rules says driver must only yield half the crossing.

-       Cyclists will be allowed to use paved shoulders on unrestricted highways.

-       Dooring a cyclist will carry a fine of $300 to $1,000, up from the current $60 to $500, on conviction.

-       Dooring a cyclist will come with three demerit points, up from two demerit points, on conviction.

-       Drivers required to keep a distance of one metre while passing cyclists where practical.

-       Fine for failure to use required bicycle lights and other reflective equipment rises to $60 to $500 from current maximum of $20.

-       Cyclists will be allowed to use flashing red lights as safety feature on bikes.

 

Application of subs. (12), where by-law in force

(13) The provisions of subsection (12) with respect to parking or standing in such a manner as to interfere with the movement of traffic or with the clearing of snow from the highway do not apply to a portion of a highway in respect of which a municipal by-law prohibiting or regulating parking or standing in such a manner as to interfere with traffic or with the clearing of snow from the highway, as the case may be, is in force.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 170 (13).

 

Fines

(Bicycle specific)

 

Offence

Fine

Court Fee

Victim Surcharge

Total Payable

Highway Code

 

Improper Lighting

 

 

$60.00 to $500.00

 

$5.00

 

$10.00

 

$75.00 to $515.00

 

63 (17)

 

Improper Brakes

 

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

64 (3)

 

No bell or horn

 

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

75 (5)

 

Riding without a

helmet (Under 16)

 

 

$55.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$80.00

 

104 (22)

Riding in a intersection or pedestrian crosswalk

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

140 (6) / 144 (7) / 144 (29)

 

Failure to Signal

 

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

142 (5)

Fail to yield to a Streetcar unloading passengers

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

166 (1)

 

Passing a Streetcar

on the left side

 

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

166 (2)

Carrying a passenger on a one person bicycle

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

178 (2)

Attaching to another vehicle (Hitching a ride)

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

178 (4)

Failing to identify when stopped by a police officer

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

218 (1) / (2)

 

Fines

(Standard fines applicable to cyclists)

 

Offence

Fine

Court Fee

Victim Surcharge

Total Payable

Highway Code

Driving an unsafe vehicle

 

No Set Fine

 

 

 

 

 

 

84

 

Careless Driving

 

 

$400.00 to $2,000.00

 

$5.00

 

$85.00

 

$490.00 to $2,090.00

 

130

 

Disobeying an office directing traffic

 

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

134 (1)

 

Driving on a closed road

 

 

$55.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$80.00

 

134 (3)

Failing to Stop. Disobeying a stop sign

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

136 (1) (a)

Failing to yield to traffic which has the right of way

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

136 (1) (b) / 139 (1)

Failing to yield at a yield sign

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

138 (1)

 

Unsafe movement or lane change

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

142 (1)

 

Failing to signal stopping

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

142 (8)

 

Failing to yield to a bus in a bus bay

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

142.1 (1)

 

Failing to stop at an amber light

 

$150.00

 

$5.00

 

$25.00

 

$180.00

 

144 (15)

 

Failing to stop at a red light

 

$260.00

 

$5.00

 

$60.00

 

$325.00

 

144 (18)

 

Driving the wrong way on a one-way road

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

153

Failing to bear right for an emergency vehicle

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

159 (1) (a)

 

Failure to remain

 

No Set Fine

 

 

 

 

 

200 (1) (a)

Links

Bicycle Safety (Ontario Ministry of Transportation)

Ontario Bike Regulations (Womenscycling.ca)

Cycling and the Law (Middlesex Health Unit)

Bike Rules of the Road (City of London)

Cycling Law Written - copy

General Law

 

What Equipment do I require on my bicycle?

Bicycles are classified as vehicles under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. By law all bicycles must have:

  • A horn or bell (must be in good working order and audible). Siren horns are prohibited.
  • A Brake. At least one is required and it must be located on the rear wheel.
  • Lightset (Dawn/Dusk) - Lightset (Dawn/Dusk) – When riding between ½ hour before sunset and ½ hour after sunrise a light set is required. This is defined as a white front light and a red rear light or reflector. 
    • Reflective tape - white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on the rear forks

Quick Note regarding Reflective Tape & Lights. These items are only required if riding at dawn/dusk or in "insufficent light or unfavourable conditions" meaning fog, rain, etc. At all other times these specific items are not legally required. See the direct quote below;

Lights and reflectors on bicycles, etc.

(17) When on a highway at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, every motor-assisted bicycle and bicycle (other than a unicycle) shall carry a lighted lamp displaying a white or amber light on its front and a lighted lamp displaying a red light or a reflector on its rear, and in addition white reflective material shall be placed on its front forks, and red reflective material covering a surface of not less than 250 millimetres in length and 25 millimetres in width shall be placed on its rear. 2015, c. 14, s. 21 (2).

Responsibilities of a Cyclist

  • Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and walk your bike when crossing in a crosswalk.

 

  • Take the whole lane when appropriate, especially at intersections and roundabouts.

 

  • Ride straight - do not weave around parked vehicles or into crosswalks at intersections. Use hand signals and look for clues from other drivers - make eye contact.

 

  • Ride defensively - think and look well ahead. Ride a door's width from parked vehicles to avoid being hit by a door suddenly opening.

 

  • Legally, cyclists are permitted to ride on any part of the roadway. On narrow roads where there is not enough space to share with other traffic, a cyclist is allowed to ride in the middle of the lane. It is important to maintain at least a meter on either side of your bike wherever possible.  Leaving room will help you avoid road hazards and move over if passed too closely.

 

  • Shoulder check, signal and change lanes or move toward the centre of the roadway before turning left.

 

  • Always pass a right-turning vehicle on the left. Pass buses and trucks driving in the curb lane only on their left.

 

 

London City Bylaws Cycling

 

Riding on Sidewalks

2.12 Motor vehicle - bicycle - on sidewalk - exceptions No person shall, without lawful authority, either by himself or by permitting others, operate a motor vehicle or bicycle along a sidewalk. This section shall not apply to a person who, (a) operates an Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device due to a disability along a sidewalk; (b) operates a motor vehicle or bicycle across that portion of a sidewalk which intersects with a lawful private entrance; (c) operates a bicycle on that portion of a sidewalk which connects a bicycle path with a roadway; or (d) being under the age of 14, operates a bicycle along a sidewalk. Streets By-law S-1 – Consolidated September 02, 2014

 

 

Ontario Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8

Pertaining to Cyclists

 

 

Slow moving vehicles

2. Vehicles (other than bicycles, motor assisted bicycles and disabled motor vehicles in tow) that are not capable of attaining and sustaining a speed greater than 40 kilometres per hour on level ground when operated on a highway.

 

(6) No person shall ride a bicycle across a roadway within a pedestrian crossover.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 140 (6).

 

(5) Despite clause (4) (b), a person on a bicycle may indicate the intention to turn to the right by extending the right hand and arm horizontally and beyond the right side of the bicycle.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 142 (5).

 

Obeying lane lights

(10) Every driver shall obey every traffic control signal that applies to the lane that he or she is in and, for greater certainty, where both a traffic control signal that is not a bicycle traffic control signal and a bicycle traffic control signal apply to the same lane,

(a) a person riding or operating a bicycle in that lane shall obey the bicycle traffic control signal; and

(b) a person driving a vehicle other than a bicycle in that lane shall obey the traffic control signal that is not a bicycle traffic control signal. 2015, c. 14, s. 40 (1).

Riding in crosswalks prohibited

(29) No person shall ride or operate a bicycle across a roadway within a crosswalk at an intersection or at a location, other than an intersection, which is controlled by a traffic control signal system. 2015, c. 14, s. 40 (2).

 

Slow vehicles to travel on right side

147. (1) Any vehicle travelling upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at that time and place shall, where practicable, be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 147 (1).

 

Vehicles meeting bicycles

(4) Every person in charge of a vehicle on a highway meeting a person travelling on a bicycle shall allow the cyclist sufficient room on the roadway to pass.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 148 (4).

 

(6.1) Every person in charge of a motor vehicle on a highway who is overtaking a person travelling on a bicycle shall, as nearly as may be practicable, leave a distance of not less than one metre between the bicycle and the motor vehicle and shall maintain that distance until safely past the bicycle. 2015, c. 14, s. 42.

(6.2) The one metre distance required by subsection (6.1) refers to the distance between the extreme right side of the motor vehicle and the extreme left side of the bicycle, including all projections and attachments. 2015, c. 14, s. 42.

(3) The designation of a lane for bicycle traffic is not effective until official signs have been erected and the lane has been marked accordingly. 2015, c. 14, s. 44.

Bicycle passengers

(2) No person riding or operating a bicycle designed for carrying one person only shall carry any other person thereon.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 178 (2); 2015, c. 14, s. 52 (2).

 

New Laws Updated as of August 2015

PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS

-       Drivers must allow pedestrians to completely cross at a school and pedestrian crossing before moving forward, current rules says driver must only yield half the crossing.

-       Cyclists will be allowed to use paved shoulders on unrestricted highways.

-       Dooring a cyclist will carry a fine of $300 to $1,000, up from the current $60 to $500, on conviction.

-       Dooring a cyclist will come with three demerit points, up from two demerit points, on conviction.

-       Drivers required to keep a distance of one metre while passing cyclists where practical.

-       Fine for failure to use required bicycle lights and other reflective equipment rises to $60 to $500 from current maximum of $20.

-       Cyclists will be allowed to use flashing red lights as safety feature on bikes.

 

Application of subs. (12), where by-law in force

(13) The provisions of subsection (12) with respect to parking or standing in such a manner as to interfere with the movement of traffic or with the clearing of snow from the highway do not apply to a portion of a highway in respect of which a municipal by-law prohibiting or regulating parking or standing in such a manner as to interfere with traffic or with the clearing of snow from the highway, as the case may be, is in force.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 170 (13).

 

Fines

(Bicycle specific)

 

Offence

Fine

Court Fee

Victim Surcharge

Total Payable

Highway Code

 

Improper Lighting

 

 

$60.00 to $500.00

 

$5.00

 

$10.00

 

$75.00 to $515.00

 

63 (17)

 

Improper Brakes

 

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

64 (3)

 

No bell or horn

 

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

75 (5)

 

Riding without a

helmet (Under 16)

 

 

$55.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$80.00

 

104 (22)

Riding in a intersection or pedestrian crosswalk

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

140 (6) / 144 (7) / 144 (29)

 

Failure to Signal

 

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

142 (5)

Fail to yield to a Streetcar unloading passengers

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

166 (1)

 

Passing a Streetcar

on the left side

 

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

166 (2)

Carrying a passenger on a one person bicycle

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

178 (2)

Attaching to another vehicle (Hitching a ride)

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

178 (4)

Failing to identify when stopped by a police officer

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

218 (1) / (2)

 

Fines

(Standard fines applicable to cyclists)

 

Offence

Fine

Court Fee

Victim Surcharge

Total Payable

Highway Code

Driving an unsafe vehicle

 

No Set Fine

 

 

 

 

 

 

84

 

Careless Driving

 

 

$400.00 to $2,000.00

 

$5.00

 

$85.00

 

$490.00 to $2,090.00

 

130

 

Disobeying an office directing traffic

 

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

134 (1)

 

Driving on a closed road

 

 

$55.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$80.00

 

134 (3)

Failing to Stop. Disobeying a stop sign

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

136 (1) (a)

Failing to yield to traffic which has the right of way

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

136 (1) (b) / 139 (1)

Failing to yield at a yield sign

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

138 (1)

 

Unsafe movement or lane change

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

142 (1)

 

Failing to signal stopping

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

142 (8)

 

Failing to yield to a bus in a bus bay

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

142.1 (1)

 

Failing to stop at an amber light

 

$150.00

 

$5.00

 

$25.00

 

$180.00

 

144 (15)

 

Failing to stop at a red light

 

$260.00

 

$5.00

 

$60.00

 

$325.00

 

144 (18)

 

Driving the wrong way on a one-way road

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

153

Failing to bear right for an emergency vehicle

 

$85.00

 

$5.00

 

$20.00

 

$110.00

 

159 (1) (a)

 

Failure to remain

 

No Set Fine

 

 

 

 

 

200 (1) (a)

Links

Bicycle Safety (Ontario Ministry of Transportation)

Ontario Bike Regulations (Womenscycling.ca)

Cycling and the Law (Middlesex Health Unit)

Bike Rules of the Road (City of London)