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PRESENTS:
Cyclist Rights & Responsibilities
Riding your bike is great exercise
Riding your bike is cheap
Riding your bike is fun
Riding your bike can be dangerous, but you can handle it.
This pamphlet provides guidelines on how to behave safely and legally.
It is not intended to replace your own common sense on the road.
Your safety is your biggest concern.
BICYCLE LAW
Under Ontario Law, a person on a bike is considered a vehicle
“Vehicle” includes a motor vehicle, trailer, traction engine, farm tractor, road-building machine, bicycle and any vehicle drawn, propelled or driven by any kind of power, including muscular power.
What does this mean for you?
You have the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else on the road.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
(like, under the law)
To stop at STOP signs and red lights
To have a bell, horn or gong for making noise
To have lights when riding at night,
(red on the back white on the front)
To have reflective tape on your frame,
(white on the front, red on the back)
To have functional brakes!
YOUR RIGHTS
When circumstances require, you have the right to a FULL LANE on the road. Not just a full bike lane, but a full lane intended for all vehicles on the road.
Why would you want a full lane?
You can see around obstacles
You can avoid debris or puddles that you need to ride around
Because someone parked a truck or car in the bicycles-only lane ??
How do you “take the lane”?
Check that you can safely manoeuvre to the middle of the lane.
Moving a little bit left of the middle can discourage unsafe passing.
3 Signal your move, check again, and move right into the lane.
Move back over to the right.
Pass the obstacle with extra room.
SIGNAL YOUR MOVES
(Changing lanes and making turns)
Four Great Ideas
1. Be Predictable
ride in a straight line
2. Communicate
with
other road users
3. Be Visible
use lights and reflectors
4. Be Aware
pay attention!
Aggression
Riding in your comfort zone is the most important thing.
Ride on streets that are paced well for you: quiet streets are best until you become more comfortable in busy traffic.
If a cyclist, driver or pedestrian becomes aggressive, remain calm.
If you are involved in a collision or confrontation, call the police and let them help you.
Riding in the city can be frustrating for new and experienced cyclists alike.
Collisions: More Resources
http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/safety/car-bike.htm
http://www.canbike.net/cca_pages/index.htm
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90h08_e.htm
Keeping your bike safe when you aren't riding it
Losing a bike through theft can be a painful and expensive experience. There are no fool-proof methods to secure bikes, but here are some basics;
The four most effective ways to keep your bike from being stolen:
Always lock your bike. Half of all bikes stolen are stolen from home.
Use a good lock. Buy two of the best locks you can afford. Having two different kinds of locks increases safety.
Secure both your bike frame and your back wheel. (two locks!)
Do not lock to flimsy things: a chain link fence, a tree, or a wooden porch.
Register your bike with the Police. When the police hear about numerous bike thefts in a neighbourhood they know that there is an organized bike thief in the area and can help stop the operation.
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