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'A bicycle is considered a vehicle under
the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA), which means cyclists must obey all
traffic laws just like other road users. If you don't obey the law you can
be charged, and if convicted, fined a minimum of $90.
Bikes & The
Law
The following is a list of laws that cyclists must obey and the section(s) of
the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA) which these rules fall under.
 Helmets -
As of October 1, 1995, it is the law in Ontario for
every cyclist under the age of eighteen (18) to wear an approved bicycle
helmet. (HTA
104)
Attaching to a vehicle - a cyclist is not permitted to attach himself or
herself to the outside of another vehicle or a streetcar for the purpose of
hitching a ride. (HTA 178)
Bell or
Horn - A bicycle must be equipped with a bell or horn in good working order.
(HTA 75)
Brakes -
A bicycle must have at least one brake system or on the rear wheel. When
these brakes are applied, the bike should not skid on dry, level pavement. (HTA
64)
Crosswalks/Crossovers - A cyclist must stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
A bicycle is not permitted to ride a bike in a pedestrian crosswalk or
crossover; he or she must walk across with the bike. (HTA
140 and HTA 144)
Dismounted bicyclist - A cyclist who walks a bike on a highway or road
where there are no sidewalks is considered a pedestrian and should walk on
the left-hand side of the road facing traffic. If it is not safe to cross the
road to face traffic, walking a bike on the right-hand side of the road is
permitted. (HTA 179)
Expressways - Bicycles are prohibited on expressway and freeway-type
highways such as Highway 400, the Queen Elizabeth Way, the Ottawa Queensway
and on roads where "No Bicycle' signs are posted. (HTA
158)
Identification - A cyclist must identify himself or herself when stopped by
the police for breaking traffic laws and must give his or her correct name
and address. (HTA 218)
Lights -
When cycling between one half hour before sunset and one half after sunrise
or in inclement weather, a bicycle must have a white front light and red
rear light or reflectors as well as white reflective tape on the front and
red reflective tape on the rear forks. (HTA
62)
One-way
streets - A cyclist must only ride in the designated direction on one-way
streets. (HTA 153)
Passenger - No passengers are allowed on a bicycle designed for one person.
(HTA 178)
Positioning - Any vehicle moving slower than a normal traffic speed, such as
a bicycle, shall drive in the right-hand side lane or as close as
practicable to the right edge of the road, except when preparing to turn
left or when passing another vehicle. (HTA
147)
Streetcar Doors - Stop two meters behind streetcar doors and
wait until the passenger has boarded or reached the curb. (HTA
166)
Stop - You must stop for red lights (HTA
144) and stop signs
(HTA 136)and comply with
all other signs.
Turns - Before you turn, look behind you and signal to
indicate your turns. Cyclists now have the option of extending their right
arm to signal a right turn (HTA
142)
Visit
the ►Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO)
for more information.
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