HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-07-01, Page 14Cycling is a fun, healthy and an inex-
pensive way to get around, whether you
cycle to and from work, school, or for rec-
reation. Hazards can be avoided when you
have good handling and traffic skills
The Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA)
defines the bicycle as a vehicle that be-
longs on the road however, riding on the
road means mixing with other traffic. This
is only safe when all traffic uses the same
rules of the road.
When everyone operates under these
rules, actions become more predictable.
Drivers can anticipate your moves and
plan accordingly. Likewise, you too can
anticipate and deal safely with the actions
of others.
The bicycle, by nature, differs from
most other vehicles in two important
ways. First, the bicycle is very narrow.
Consequently, where most vehicles use a
full lane, the bicycle uses only a fraction
of a lane.
Second, the bicycle is often slower than
most other vehicles. In urban areas, cy-
clists generally move at one-third to two-
thirds the speed of the traffic around them,
except where traffic congestion slows cars
and trucks. However, in rural areas, or on
faster roads the difference is much great-
er.
WHERE DO YOU RIDE?
Because of the special nature of the bi-
cycle, there are two rules of the road to
which cyclists must pay special attention.
1. Slower traffic stays right.
2. Slower traffic must give way to faster
C ich59^al-Sia, Wednesday, July 1, 2009. Page A13
Police encourage safe cycling
Friendship Breakfast
The Legion's Friendship Breakfast served more than 350 hungry patrons and
raised about $1,200 June 28. Proceeds will be used to support the Royal Canadian
Legion.Branch 109. Above, Harold Leddy works bacon patrol Sunday morning.
Photo by Gerard Creces
traffic when safe and practical.
These rules generally apply this way:
Cyclists should ride close to the right hand
edge of the road without a curb, or about
one meter from a curb, when it is safe to
do so, unless they are turning left or going
faster than other vehicles.
TAKING A LANE
In urban areas where a curb lane is too
narrow to share safely with a motorist, it
is legal to take the whole lane by riding in
the centre of it. This action is safer than
riding near the curb, which may encour-
age a motorist to squeeze by where there
isn't sufficient room. If you are uncom-
fortable in the centre of the lane, take an
alternate route. On high-speed roads, it is
not safe to take the whole lane.
BE SEEN AND BE HEARD
Because bicycles are one of the small-
est vehicles on the road, it is important
for cyclists to be as visible as possible to
other road users at all times. This means
wearing white or bright -coloured clothing
when your ride. A white or yellow helmet
(particularly one with reflective material
on it) also helps to make you more vis-
ible.
LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY
The following are key sections of the
Highway Traffic Act concerning cyclists:
•HTA 144/136 -Traffic signals and signs
- stop for red lights and stop signs and
comply with all other signs.
• HTA 153 - One ways streets - ride
in the designated direction on one-way
streets.
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