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Traffic tip of the week
Responsibilities of cyclists
By Cpl. R.P. Hrehirchuk
Rights and duties of operator of a cycle
183 (1) In addition to the duties imposed by this section, a person operating a cycle on a highway has the same rights and duties as a driver of a vehicle.
(2) A person operating a cycle;
(a) must not ride on a sidewalk;
(b) must not ride on a crosswalk;
(c) must ride as near as practicable to the right side of the highway;
(d) must not ride two abreast on the roadway,
(e) must keep at least one hand on the handlebars,
(f) must not ride other than on or astride a regular seat of the cycle,
(g) must not use the cycle to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped, and
(h) must not ride a cycle on a highway where signs prohibit their use.
(4) (a) cyclist to use left turn lane when making a left turn on roadway
(5) A person must not ride a cycle, skate board, roller skates, in-line roller skates, sled, attached to a vehicle on a highway.
(6) A cyclist must not operate a bicycle after dark without lights and are required to have reflectors at all times.
(8) A cyclist must have brakes when on a highway
(9) If an accident occurs a cyclist is required to:
(a) remain at or immediately return to the scene of the accident,
(b) render all possible assistance, and
(c) provide their name and address
(14) A person must not operate a cycle
(a) on a highway without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway, or
(b) on a sidewalk without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the sidewalk.
(17) A person operating a cycle on a highway must signify
(a) a left turn by extending the person’s left hand and arm out horizontally from the cycle,
(b) a right turn by doing either of the following:
(i) extending the person’s left hand and arm out and upward from the cycle so that the upper and lower parts of the arm are at right angles;
(ii) extending the person’s right hand and arm out horizontally from the cycle, and
(c) a stop or decrease in speed by extending the person’s left hand and arm out and down from the cycle.
Bicycle safety helmets
184 (1) A cyclist is required to wear a helmet while riding on the roadway
(2) A parent or guardian allowing a minor to ride cycle without a helmet.
Fines range from $29 to $109 penalties.
Cranbrook RCMP encourages all cyclists to obey all signs to promote safe cycling habits and ensure the safety of themselves as well as other cyclists. RCMP also encourage drivers to be aware of all cyclists using extra caution and give extra room when approaching them. Common sense dictates to slow down when you observe a cyclist on the roadway. Let’s be courteous of everyone using our roadways.
– Cpl. R.P. Hrehirchuk is NCO Municipal Traffic with Cranbrook RCMP
