The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) sets the laws and expectations for using all types of roads in Ontario. A bicycle is defined as a “vehicle” in the HTA, along with motor vehicles, and “any vehicle drawn, propelled or driven by any kind of power, including muscular power, but does not include a motorized snow vehicle or a street car”. The definition of a “bicycle” in the HTA “includes a tricycle, a unicycle and a power-assisted bicycle but does not include a motor-assisted bicycle”.
Summary Of Laws
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[accordion_item caption=”Lights and Reflectors on Bicycles”]
Bicycles are required to have either a white or amber light on the front, and a red light or a reflector on the back. Lights must be turned on 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise. They also need to be on at any 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. Bicycles also require white reflective strips on its front forks and red reflective strips on its rear stays at least 250 millimetres long, and 25 millimetres wide.
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[accordion_item caption=”Brakes on Bicycles”]
Bicycles must have at least one brake system acting on the rear wheel that will enable the rider to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level and clean pavement.
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[accordion_item caption=”Alarm Bell To Be Sounded”]
Bicycle must have either a bell, gong or horn. It needs to be kept in working order, and used whenever it is reasonably necessary to notify pedestrians or others of your approach.
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[accordion_item caption=”Pedestrian Crossovers”]
People are not permitted to operate a bicycle across a roadway within a pedestrian crossover.
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[accordion_item caption=”Signalling”]
Before turning at any intersection, private road, driveway, changing lanes, or pulling over, operator of all vehicles must check that the movement can be made in safety. If the operation of any other vehicle may be affected by the movement, the operator must give a signal plainly visible to other vehicle operators of their intention.
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[accordion_item caption=”Traffic Lights”]
Vehicle operators must obey all applicable traffic control signals.
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[accordion_item caption=”Overtaking”]
People operating vehicles meeting a person travelling on a bicycle must allow the cyclist sufficient room on the roadway to pass.
People operating bicycles being overtaken by a vehicle travelling at a greater speed must turn out to the right and allow the overtaking vehicle to pass. People operating motor vehicles overtaking a person travelling on a bicycle must leave a distance of at least one metre between the bicycle and the motor vehicle, and maintain that distance until safely past the bicycle.
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[accordion_item caption=”Bike Lanes and Shoulders”]
Bicycles may be ridden on the paved shoulder of a road. They may also operate in bicycle designated lanes, and are not obligated to stay in that lane if it is obstructed or unsafe.
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[accordion_item caption=”Passengers”]
Bicycle can only carrying the number of people it’s designed for.
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[accordion_item caption=”The Police”]
A police officer who finds any person on a bicycle contravening the HTA or any municipal by-law may require that person to stop and identify themselves. That person can also be fined.
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[accordion_item caption=”Helmets”]
A person who is 18 years old or older is not required to wear a helmet.
Duty of parent or guardian
Parents and guardians of people under sixteen years of age are responsible for ensuring that person rides a bicycle with a helmet.
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