On the Road

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Traffic safety remains a top priority for the Toronto Police Service, and one of our traffic safety goals is to increase the focus on cycling safety.

The police hope to do this by heightening public awareness of the need to share the roadways with cyclists and by conducting the necessary enforcement to ensure they remain safe.

Now that doesn't mean all the offenders are motorists, nor does it mean that all the traffic tickets will be given exclusively to motorists.

Regrettably, we have many unsafe cyclists as well who are also contributing to the rising number of bicycle accidents on our streets. On average in the City of Toronto, one cyclist is injured in a road accident every nine hours and more than 1,100 cyclists are involved in collisions annually.

To draw greater public attention to this serious traffic situation, Toronto Police officers began participating in a citywide safe cycling campaign called Share the Responsibility on June 18 and it continues until Sunday, June 24. However, unofficially, they police will be on the lookout throughout the summer.

Police officers throughout the city will be paying particular attention to those motorists whose actions endanger the lives of cyclists in particular, motorists who make unsafe turns, open vehicle doors carelessly and improperly, drive in designated bicycle lanes or make unsafe lane changes.

Similarly, police will also be on the lookout for cyclists who flagrantly disobey some of the more critical traffic laws such as failing to stop at red lights, passing streetcars when the doors are open and riding past stop signs without stopping, just to name a few.

Of the last six cycling fatalities in Toronto, all involved large commercial vehicles. Restricted side and rear views in larger vehicles are often the leading cause of many accidents involving cyclists and for that reason, traffic officers are appealing to large vehicle drivers to exercise extra caution when turning corners or changing lanes.

Proper protective gear is a must for today's cyclist.

Gear includes an approved helmet and reflective clothing when cycling at night. Helmets are mandatory for anyone under the age of 16 years so this one becomes a parent or guardian responsibility as well.

In addition to riding apparel, bicycles need to be properly equipped for safety including lights to the front and rear as well as proper reflectors for night riding and a bell or horn to warn pedestrians of an approaching bicycle.

With the rising price of gasoline and the environmental concerns stemming from motor vehicle emissions, more people are taking to the streets with their bicycles to save money and the environment, and perhaps get a little exercise along the way.

Remember that cyclists have a lawful place on the roadway and if we are going to have a positive effect on our traffic safety goal to reduce the number of deaths and injuries to cyclists, we will all need to be a bit more neighbourly when it comes to sharing those streets.

Exercising safe cycling practices and sharing the responsibility is the key to a safe and enjoyable summer of bike riding.