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July 2009
Biking in the urban jungle
You can never forget how to ride a bike. But cyclists tend to get forget the rules of the road. Are you allowed to ride on the sidewalk? Can you cross an intersection when the “little white man” appears but the traffic light is still red? Who has the right of way in traffic?
Not knowing the rules of the road when you're on a bike can lead to accidents, near misses and traffic tickets. Tickets can range from $15 to $30 (plus fees) for each offence, not to mention that you can put your safety and the safety of others at risk.
A lot of cyclists think they can do what they like because they're on a bike. Let's take a closer look at some common misconceptions.
Myth 1: When there is too much traffic on the street, I can ride my bike on the sidewalk.
Wrong. Cyclists are not allowed to ride on the sidewalk, except in special circumstances. You can ride on the sidewalk only when it is really necessary, or when a sign indicates that you should. You can always walk beside your bicycle on the sidewalk, in which case you are considered to be a pedestrian.
Myth 2: If the traffic light is red, but there is no one at the intersection, I can cross.
Wrong. Cyclists must respect red lights and stop signs just like everyone else. If you get a ticket for breaking this rule, you will have to pay a fine and will loose three points off your driver’s licence. You don’t have a licence? The offence will be recorded in your file, and if you get a driver’s licence within the next three years, these points are automatically deducted from your new licence.
