The new legislation is a significant win for cyclist safety in Ontario: Higher fines for dooring cyclists, distracted driving and riding without lights will take effect September 1, 2015.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Ministry of Transportation released the set fine schedule yesterday for a variety of new rules of the road that impacts people riding bicycles across Ontario, including:
Dooring a cyclist: $365 set fine and three demerit points
Distracted driving: $490 set fine and three demerit points
Passing a cyclist: drivers must leave one metre when passing a cyclist or face a $110 set fine and two demerit points
Improper lighting of a bicycle: $110 set fine and no demerit points (cyclists are exempt from demerit point system)
This is great news for cyclists across the province. Bike Friendly will continue our work advocating for better infrastructure and for strong Vulnerable Road User laws. Sign the petition here. Support our work by joining Bike Friendly or making a donation today!
I personally don’t have any problems riding my bike in Windsor. I’ve ridden bicycles for about 60 years and have rode my bike under all kinds of conditions. I can ride on busy streets without bike lanes with no problem. The trick is to stay close to the curb. Vehicles have plenty of room to pass and as long as they are at least 1 foot away from me, that is OK. We used to live in Parry Sound and I did lots of biking on the surrounding highways going from small town to small town. Never had a problem with passing vehicles. That’s my view.