Under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act (HTA), a bicycle is classified as a vehicle, just like a car or truck. As a cyclist, you will need to share the roadway with these vehicles in a safe manner.
Roads and You
Keep yourself safe on the road by following these rules:
- Obey the rules of the road, including all traffic signs and signals. Under the Highway Traffic Act, all rules and regulations are the same for driving a motor vehicle or driving a bicycle on a roadway.
- Wear brightly coloured clothing and use reflective lights in the front, side and rear to make you visible from all directions.
- It is safest to ride single file.
- Be aware of your surroundings; know what is behind and in front of you.
- Use hand signals to communicate your travel intentions.
- Make sure your brakes are in working condition.
- Bike on the right hand side of the road with the flow of traffic.
- Always cross the street at intersections.
- Always wear a helmet.
- If you are driving your bicycle on the roadway, you can drive through the intersection like a vehicle when it is safe to do so, or the lights indicate it is your turn.
- For younger people, who are riding bicycles on the sidewalk, stop at the end of the sidewalk, get off your bike, when it is safe, walk your bicycle across a roadway.
Bicycle Theft Prevention Tips
- Use a good quality lock, such as a hardened steel U shaped lock or a hardened steel chain and padlock - weak, inexpensive locks can be broken/cut.
- Lock your bicycle, including the wheels, to an immovable object that cannot be easily cut or broken.
- Store your bicycle indoors when not in use.
Bike Registry
Peel Regional Police offers online bicycle registration. By registering your bicycle, your chances of having your bicycle returned if it's lost or stolen, greatly increases.
Online Reporting Criteria and Information
- You must have a valid email address.
- You must provide the bicycle(s) serial number.
- Only applications with addresses in the area serviced by Peel Regional Police will be accepted.
- You can register multiple bicycles per report by clicking on add property.
- Press yes in the registration to have mailed to you a free Bicycle Registry sticker decal. One decal per bicycle. This sticker is to show that your bicycle is registered with the police to discourage theft.
A confirmation email will be sent to you once police have received the request, followed by an email with your report number.
Please Note
- You may be contacted by email or phone if further information is needed.
- Filing a false police report is a criminal offence.
Submit an Online Bicycle Registration
Identifying Your Bicycle
Manufacturers mark bicycles with a serial number, commonly found under the crank case. If yours doesn't have a serial number, engrave a unique identifying number (I.e. your driver's licence number) on the frame. Consider engraving the same number on other removable components like the wheels.
