Courtesy of pawlingcycle.com

Are you tired of bicycles not stopping at stop signs and red lights, going the wrong way on one-way streets, not signaling when turning, and riding on the sidewalk? If so you are not alone. Many cyclists seem to be under the mistaken impression that they can ride how ever and where ever the mood or the traffic takes them and pedestrians are paying the price. Just last Thursday a pedestrian passed away after a collision with a cyclist on a sidewalk. According to Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA) a bicycle is a vehicle and a cyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as a motorist.

The Toronto Highway Traffic Act has a very detailed list of bicycle violations and fines. Here are the ones that stand out for me.

• 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.
• HTA 142 - Signalling a turn - before turning, look behind you and signal your turn. Cyclists can use their right arm to signal a right turn.
• HTA 140/144(29) - Crosswalks - stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and walk your bike when crossing at a crosswalk.
• HTA 130 Careless driving.
• HTA 140 (1) (a) Fail to yield to pedestrian.
• HTA Improper right turn 141 (2)
• HTA Improper left turn 141 (6)

Should we blame cyclists or law enforcement? These violations and fines are on the books, so why aren’t they enforced? When as a society are we going to start treating bicycles like the vehicles that they are and hold the cyclists responsible for their safe operation? Perhaps we should have licensing criteria along the same lines as we do for cars and motorcycles.