Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Cycling should be fun, not dangerous
You might be using your bicycle to commute to work or just for fun. Either way, you need to know safety rules when you’re sharing the road with motor vehicles.
Ride defensively
Bicycles need to be operated according to the rules of the road. Signal your turns and don’t dart from lane to lane. When riding with others, ride in single file.
Watch for hazards, dangerous road
conditions and other road users. Make
sure drivers of merging vehicles see you.
Be careful not to drift to the left when
shoulder checking on your left.
Always wear an approved bike helmet and replace your old helmet if it is damaged.
Drivers – share the road
Bicycles have a right to the roadway. Do a shoulder check, signal and give them space when passing. Before opening a car door or pulling out of a parking spot, always check for cyclists. Be alert for children riding on the sidewalk at intersections and driveways.
Avoid sidewalks and blind spots
It’s illegal to drive a bicycle on the sidewalk that has a rear wheel diameter greater than 410 mm (16 inches). It’s also dangerous for pedestrians.
Biking in drivers’ blind spots is also dangerous. Don’t pass by cycling between a stopped car at an intersection and the curb.
See and be seen
Cycling after dark without a light can be deadly. If you bike after sunset, install front and back lights on your bike and wear reflective clothing or tape on your helmet.
Teach your children
Bike accidents kill several Manitobans per year. Children are most at risk of riding out of a driveway without stopping, going through stop signs, turning left without looking or falling from their bikes. Make sure your kids know the rules of the road. Be sure their bikes are the right size for them and in good repair.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV, and check out the following on our website:
- Bicycle Safety in Vulnerable Road Users
- Bicycle Safety in Driving Tips
- You can access the 60-Second Driver video on Bicycle Safety directly
