Bicycle safety bulletin
Since the start of the new school year, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of bicycles being operated throughout the Westdale and Ainsliewood area. Police have received numerous complaints from the community about cyclists not following rules of the roads. As a result the Hamilton Police have put together the following Bicycle Safety Bulletin as a reference.
Rules of the road
As a cyclist, you must share the road with others (e.g., cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, etc.) Under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA), a bicycle is a vehicle, just like a car or truck.
Cyclists:
- must obey all traffic laws
- have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers
- cannot carry passengers – if your bicycle is only meant for one person
The following is a list of applicable charges:
| Ontario Highway Traffic Act Violations Wording and Set Fines Offence | HTA Section | Set Fine $ | Court Costs $ | Victim Fine Surcharge $ | Total $ |
| Improper bicycle lighting | 62 (17) | 85.00 | 5.00 | 10.00 | 110.00 |
| Improper brakes on a bicycle | 64 (3) | 85.00 | 5.00 | 20.00 | 110.00 |
| No bell, gong, or horn on a bicycle | 75 (5) | 85.00 | 5.00 | 20.00 | 110.00 |
| Under 16 years of age, riding without a helmet | 104 (22) | 55.00 | 5.00 | 20.00 | 80.00 |
| Riding in a intersection crosswalk, or pedestrian Crossovers (mid block marked with “X”) | 140 (6)
144 (7) 144 (29) |
85.00 |
5.00 |
20.00 |
110.00 |
| Cyclist Failure to signal | 142 (5) | 85.00 | 5.00 | 20.00 | 110.00 |
| Fail to yield to Streetcar passengers unloading | 166 (1) | 85.00 | 5.00 | 20.00 | 110.00 |
| Pass streetcar on left side | 166 (2) | 85.00 | 5.00 | 20.00 | 110.00 |
| Cyclist carry a passenger on a bicycle mean for one person | 178 (2) | 85.00 | 5.00 | 20.00 | 110.00 |
| Attach to another vehicle for the purpose of being drawn along the roadway |
178 (4) |
85.00 |
5.00 |
20.00 |
110.00 |
| Cyclist fail to identify self when stopped by an officer | 218 (1)
218 (2) |
85.00 | 5.00 | 20.00 | 110.00 |
| Disobey Stop Sign – Fail to Stop | 136 (1) a | 85.00 | 5.00 | 20.00 | 110.00 |
| Red Light – Fail to Stop | 144 (18) | 260.00 | 5.00 | 60.00 | 325.00 |
| Drive Wrong Way – One Way Traffic | 153 | 85.00 | 5.00 | 20.00 | 110.00 |
Please take the lead and set examples for everyone to make our streets safer for all users.
