Sharing the road: June is Bike Safety month
Did you know that June is Bike Safety Month in Canada?
With the warmer weather and pandemic regulations beginning to lift, cyclists are being reminded of bicycle safety rules.
According to the London Police Services' website, bicycles must be equipped with:
- A horn or bell
- A white light on the front of the bicycle that remains on from dusk to dawn
- White reflectors (25 cm long and 2.5 cm wide) on the front forks of the bicycle
- Working brakes
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation website states all cyclists must obey all traffic laws, follow the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers, and can not carry passengers if the bicycle is meant for one person.
According to the MTO a cyclist must ride far enough out from the curb to maintain a straight line, clear of sewer grates, debris, potholes, and parked cars. However, a cyclist can can take a whole lane when their safety warrants it.
A red flashing or other glowing light at the back of the bicycle is also recommended when cycling at night.
By law, helmets must be worn by anyone under the age of 16, and must be an approved helmet.
Helmets are not mandatory for adults over the age of 18, but they are highly encouraged as injuries from a fall could drastically impact your life.
According to Red Cross, "Speed, inexperience and not wearing protective gear are among leading causes of cycling injuries for children. About a third of hospital emergency visits for children with cycling injuries involve broken bones, and one in 10 cycling deaths or serious injuries result from collisions with vehicles."
For more information on cycling guidelines, visit the Ministry of Transportation's website.
Correction
An earlier version of this story stated cyclists are required to ride on the right hand side of the road. While there is some accuracy the statement lacked context and detail and has been updated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.