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Safe Cycling Tips

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Tips on making your cycling trips safer and more enjoyable!

Always remember — Safety First.

 

Riding Etiquette

Be Visible & Loud

  • Wear bright colored and/or reflective clothing to increase your visibility
  • Use front and rear lights
  • Use your bell or horn to let people know you are close by or passing

Be Predictable

  • Always ride in the same direction as traffic
  • Ride in a straight line and don’t weave between vehicles
  • Travel and stay on the right side of the road
  • Use hand signals and check over shoulder when turning

Be Mindful of Parked and Large Vehicles

  • Ride far enough away from being hit by an opening car door
  • Avoid riding in the blind spots of trucks and buses
  • Large vehicles often move toward the left lane in preparation for a right turn

Be Responsible

  • Understand your rights and responsibility as a cyclists
  • Obey all traffic laws, markings, signage and signals   

Be Alert, Courteous & Forgiving

  • Do not wear headphones or multi-task while riding
  • Share the road with others (i.e. cars, buses, motorcycles, pedestrians, etc.)
  • When riding on multi-use pathway or trail, don’t stop in the middle and yield to pedestrians

For more information on bicycle safety:

Bicycle Hand Signals

Use the following hand signals to indicate your intention to turn, change lanes or stop, to other cyclists, motorists and general traffic.'

 

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Right Turn

Extend your left upper-arm out to the left, parallel to the road and angle your forearm upward. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Alternate Right Turn

Extend right arm straight out in the direction of the turn, parallel to the road.

 

 

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Left Turn

Extend left arm straight out in the direction of the turn, parallel to the road.

 

 

 

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Stopping

Extend your left upper arm to the left, parallel to the road and angle your forearm downward.

 

Bike Security

Thieves will steal an entire bicycle or they may steal parts of the bike that are not securely fastened. Some tips to discourage theft:

 

  • Always lock your bike when it is left unattended, even for a short period of time, in your garage or on a porch
  • Lock both wheels and the frame to bike rack or fixed object. If you only lock on wheel, your bicycle can be quickly detached and carried away
  • If you don’t need a quick release seat and wheel, replace them with standard bolts.
  • Take lights, mirrors, bags and panniers with you, along with anything else that is not securely fastened
  • Consider riding an inexpensive bicycle for everyday use or short trips


York Region Bicycle Theft Prevention Program

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Created by York Regional Police, an online bike registration program to safeguard the bicycles owned by York Region Residents

  • Register your bike with York Regional Police
  • You will be contacted if your bike is recovered
  • Take a photo of your bicycle
  • Keep original receipts and record serial number

Register your bike with York Region Police at www.yrp.ca/en/services/bike-registration.asp

Cycling safety tips from the CAA

As the City continues to expand its cycling network, it is important that cyclists are educated and aware of how to operate their bicycles safely. Please view these videos provided by the CAA to obtain useful tips on cycling safety and etiquette.