Bicycle Safety

Policy Statement

The City of Toronto is committed to the protection of its employees from workplace hazards through appropriate training, safe work procedures, provision and maintenance of equipment and personal protective equipment.

This policy is intended to protect the safety of employees who are:

  • required, expected or actively encouraged by their managers/supervisors to use bicycles in the performance of their work (job duty-related use)
  • enabled by their managers/supervisors to voluntarily use a bicycle in the performance of their work through the availability of Divisional Bike Share access cards (optional use)

Application

This policy applies to divisions in which employees:

  • use bicycles (City-owned or personal) in the performance of their work due to divisional job requirements, expectations or active encouragement (job duty-related use)
  • optionally select to utilize a Divisional Bike Share access card to use a Bike Share bicycle during working hours (optional use)

Definitions

Bicycle

“Bicycle” includes a tricycle, a unicycle, a cargo bike, and a power-assisted bicycle but does not include a motor-assisted bicycle;

Responsibilities

Divisions will:

  • Identify those positions (or employees within positions) who are required, expected or actively encouraged to use bicycles in the performance of work
  • Identify those employees who are enabled by their managers/supervisors to optionally/voluntarily use a bicycle in the performance of their work through the availability of Divisional Bike Share access cards
  • Ensure the appropriate level of screening and training is completed for employees who ride bicycles during the performance of work (either job duty -related or optionally through Bike Share access card usage, as outlined in Appendix A)
  • Require that employees use bicycle helmets and reflective clothing (all CSA approved or equivalent) when riding bicycles during working hours
  • Stipulate a requirement that any bicycle being used for job duty-related work, whether City-issued or employee-owned, be equipped in accordance with the requirements of the Highway Traffic Act
  • Ensure a preventative maintenance program is in place for City-issued bicycles
  • Make provision for review of the division’s bicycle safety program by joint health and safety committees

Employees will:

  • Complete the appropriate level of screening and training if they ride bicycles during the performance of work (either job duty-related or optionally through Bike Share access card usage, as outlined in Appendix A)
  • Use required personal protective equipment including bicycle helmets and reflective clothing (all CSA approved or equivalent) when riding a bicycle at work
  • Report to their managers/supervisors any deficits in the safety features of City-issued bicycles
  • Follow all rules of the road and all Municipal, Provincial and Federal Laws pertaining to the operation of the bicycle (including the Highway Traffic Act)

Appendix A

Screening and Training required for Job Duty-Related Bicycle Use

Employees must successfully complete, or have successfully completed:

  1. The City of Toronto Bike Safety Online Training Module and test
  2. A practical screening to determine skill level (administered by qualified City of Toronto instructors)
  3. If they pass the screening, they will complete Can-Bike Level 4 (previously called Can-Bike 2) or equivalent training program
  4. If they are unsuccessful during this screening, the instructor will recommend the appropriate level of training and other activity to enable readiness to be re-screened for Can-Bike 4 participation. If then successful, they will complete Can-Bike Level 4 or equivalent training program

Training required for Optional Use of Bicycles during Work using a Divisional Bike Share access card

Employees must successfully complete, or have successfully completed:

  1. The City of Toronto Bike Safety Online Training Module and test
  2. A City of Toronto Core Cycling Competency Course (that includes Can-Bike Level 3 or equivalent or better training program)

Endorsed by

Occupational Health and Safety Coordinating Committee (OHSCC),

December 5, 2012

September 29, 2015

April 26, 2016

Approved by

City Manager

Date Approved

February 4, 2013

Re-endorsed by OHSCC

December 12, 2018

Related Links

Highway Traffic Act