Bike Safe - A bicycle safety initiative of Manitoba Public Insurance
Sharing the road – cyclist and motorist responsibilities
Through cooperation and respect, motorists and cyclists can share the road safely.
Cyclists have the same rights as motorists but you also have the same responsibilities and must follow the same rules. The following are known as the Three R's of safe cycling:
- Same Roads: Motor vehicles and bicycles share the same roads.
- Same Rights: As a cyclist, you have a right to your space on the road. The key is to understand your rights and consistently follow them.
- Same Rules: Other than the difference in a cyclist’s position on the road, we all have to follow the same rules of the road.
By understanding and practicing the Three R's, cyclists can help ensure your own safety and, at the same time, help motorists understand your intentions.
Motorists should always follow the rules of the road and ensure that you give cyclists the courtesy and space they require to ride safely.
Here are some basic responsibilities for cyclists and motorists:
Your responsibilities as a cyclist
- Ride respectfully – the same traffic laws that apply to motorists also apply to you.
- Use hand signals and eye contact to communicate your actions to motorists.
- Obey traffic control signals and signs.
- Ride in a straight line and do not weave between parked cars.
- Do not ride on the sidewalk.
- Ride single file when riding with other cyclists.
- Ride as closely as practicable to the right hand boundary of the road.
- Increase your visibility by wearing brightly coloured clothing.
- Use a white front light and a red rear light in low light conditions.
The law requires cyclists to ride in the same direction as other traffic and position themselves "as close as practicable" to the right edge or curb of the roadway. This does not mean hugging the curb.
Experienced cyclists recommend riding approximately one metre away from the curb to maintain a straight line while avoiding hazards such as potholes, wide cracks, service covers, debris and puddles. However, it's important to note that The Highway Traffic Act does not define "as close as practicable". To avoid unnecessary conflicts with motorists, cyclists need to use your best judgment when determining how far away from the curb to ride and when it may be necessary to move closer to the middle of the lane.
Your responsibilities as a motorist
Motorists can help reduce the number of bicycle and motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities by understanding cyclists' positioning on the road and following some important traffic tips:
- Reduce your speed when encountering cyclists.
- Leave a safe following distance should the cyclist need to stop suddenly.
- The sound of a car horn can be very startling to a cyclist. Try not to use yours.
- Recognize the hazards that cyclists may face (e.g. debris on the road) and give them plenty of space. Cycling advocacy groups suggest providing approximately one metre of clearance, although The Highway Traffic Act does not specify the distance motorists must give when riding alongside or passing cyclists. However, motorists should always be cautious and respectful and provide adequate space to prevent potential collisions.
- When turning left, watch for and yield to oncoming cyclists, just as you would to oncoming motorists.
- When turning right, yield to any cyclist traveling on your right. Do not try to pass a cyclist if you are planning to turn right at the next intersection or driveway.
- Children on bicycles are often unpredictable. Expect the unexpected and slow down.
- Look for cyclists before opening your car doors.
Understanding a cyclist's position on the road
- According to The Highway Traffic Act, cyclists are required to ride as close as practicable to the right hand boundary of the lane and/or road. However, there are certain times when cyclists may choose to be further away from the right side of the road or ride closer to the middle of the lane. These include:
- When approaching adverse road conditions such as potholes, puddles or construction.
- When passing parked vehicles and additional space is required to stay clear of the door zone.
- When making a left turn. In this case, experienced cyclists recommend you position yourself closer to the centre of the turning lane. This will prevent a motorist from passing you within the same lane as you make the turn.
When the right lane is intended for right turns only and you are intending to go straight, you should remain in the adjacent lane and carry on through the intersection. - When there is slower moving or stopped traffic in the right hand lane, you are allowed to pass on the left as long as it is safe to do so. In this situation, you would occupy a position closer to the centre of the passing lane while completing the pass and then return to the right edge of the lane when the pass is completed.
- When cycling on one-way streets with more than three lanes of traffic.
When passing a cyclist
Motorists should pass a cyclist only when it is safe to do so. Cycling advocacy groups suggest providing approximately one metre of clearance, although The Highway Traffic Act does not specify the distance you must give when riding alongside or passing cyclists. - Check over your shoulder before moving back into your lane.
- There are some situations where it is not safe to pass a cyclist including:
- In construction zones where traffic is reduced to one narrow lane.
- In lanes with narrow widths that do not permit passing at "safe distance" .
- In a yield lane.
By using common sense and following the rules of the road, cyclists and motorists can make streets safer for everyone.
Watch this short video about the importance of sharing the road.
