Cycling Education

For a one-way street with a contra-flow lane traveling in the opposite direction of motor traffic, the “bicycles excepted” sign is utilized. This tells drivers that they cannot legally travel in the specified direction, while allowing people cycling to use the designated contra-flow facility.

Where a person cycling in a cycle track approaches a TTC bus which is stationary while passengers are embarking or disembarking the vehicle, the person on a bicycle shall not pass the bus or approach nearer than two metres measured back from the rear or front entrance or exit. People cycling should yield to pedestrians and passengers, and may only proceed once the cycle track is clear.

When approaching a slower person cycling in a bicycle lane, it is important to:

• Use your bell to notify the person of your presence
• Shoulder check on your left to ensure the route is clear
• Pass on the left leaving at least one metre clearance

If passing at a particular section is not safe (for example, if the cycle track section is too narrow or busy live traffic lane), wait behind the person cycling until it is clear to overtake.

General guidelines

• Teach children to obey the rules of the road and ensure they are always wearing a helmet.
• Practice riding in a safe, controlled environment.
• Children learn to balance and handle a bicycle many years before they are able to develop a sound judgment about traffic and a realistic appreciation of risk. Children aged nine years old and under should be supervised by an adult when they cycle.

Infants

• Never carry a baby in a front chest carrier or in a backpack. If you want to cycle with your infant, the only safe option is in a child carrier or bicycle trailer, but it is advised wait until your child is able to sit up alone.
• An infant must always wear a helmet when cycling with an adult. If the child is uncomfortable or in distress, it may be preferable to try again when the child is older.

Toddlers

• Children should be at least 12-16 months old before accompanying an adult on their bicycle, and should support the weight of their head while wearing a helmet.
• Using a trailer or a rear seat depends on your riding circumstances, ability and personal preference. A trailer tends to be more stable, and allows more room for toys and snacks, but the child is further away from you and low to the ground.
• Trailers are not suitable in high vehicle traffic situations, as children are not highly visible and may be bothered by loud noise and vehicular pollution. If using a trailer in high vehicle traffic is necessary, it is preferable if another adult can cycle behind the trailer.
• Bicycle seats mean your child is close to you, but the centre of gravity shifts higher and further back, making your bicycle unstable. Practice with a twenty-five pound bag of potatoes before you strap your child into the seat. A novice or inexperienced adult should avoid adding a bicycle seat.

Young children

• Teach your child to cycle in a park or on a quiet, residential street. For travelling further distances, use a trailer bicycle, which attaches to your seat post and allows a child to sit on the seat post while holding the handlebars and pedaling.
• Ensure that children are aware of hazards when cycling on sidewalks, such as cars backing out of or pulling into driveways, obstacles, uneven pavement and pedestrians.
• Teach children the rules of the road, even when cycling on a trail, such as: people should cycle on the right, ride in a straight line, be courteous with other users, and communicate using their bell or voice.

Teaching children about sidewalk cycling

Safely cross streetcar tracks

Use extra caution when crossing streetcar and railway tracks to avoid  falls due to trapped wheels in the tracks. Always cross tracks at right angles, even when cycling over slots, cracks in the pavement or sewer grates.

Your lane position to cross streetcar tracks at a right angle will depend on the angle of the tracks and the grade of the road. Shoulder check and signal your intentions to road users behind you. Use the following technique to safely cross the tracks:

• When approaching streetcar tracks, slow down.
• Stop pedaling, and position your feet so that your cranks are in a position horizontal to the ground, and lift out of your seat so that you are using your arms and legs to balance.
• You will be able to absorb the bump by using your arms and legs instead of bouncing on your seat.

If you are not comfortable riding over the tracks, whether it is due to multiple tracks at an intersection, difficult track angles, or heavy traffic, pull over to the curb, dismount and cross the intersection as a pedestrian.

Streetcar tracks become more slippery when wet. Use caution when riding in the rain or in winter weather.

Passing or stopping behind streetcars

By law, you must pass streetcars on the right. When a streetcar stops to allow passengers to enter or exit, you must stop two metres behind the rear door until all passengers have boarded and disembarked on the sidewalk.

When TTC passengers are exiting the streetcar, wait for them to cross to the sidewalk before passing.

Bike Maintenance & Adjustments

• Carry either a lighter, WD40, or light machine oil, in case your lock freezes. Try adding a drop of oil or graphite lock lubricant in the locking mechanism to prevent freezing.
• Adjust your fenders, if necessary, to increase space between the fender and tire to avoid snow build up.
• Clips are not recommended in snowy or icy conditions, as you may have to put your feet down in a hurry.

Tire Maintenance

• Lessen tire pressure to the low end of recommended range (written on tire sidewall) to increase traction.
• Thick-tread mountain bike tires will increase traction/grip on snow (particularly good for hard packed), whereas thin tires will cut through the snow (particularly good for loose snow) to the pavement. Some people use studded tires; these are noisy on dry pavement but particularly good for ice.

Prepare for Weather Conditions

• Snow banks may force people cycling further out in a lane. Communicate your intentions by shoulder checking and using hand signals if you need to move out from the curb.
• Place your bicycle outside before riding – less snow will stick to a bicycle that is already cold.
• If you encounter black ice, steer straight, avoid pedaling, and try not to brake as this could cause you to skid and fall.
• Avoid riding over snow, as it may hide ice. Avoid riding over snow banks and stay on wet pavement.
• Leave extra room for braking and shift often to prevent snow from locking the chain.
• Streetcar tracks will be icy, while other road surfaces are not. Always cross at a right angle, stop pedaling, keep your pedals horizontal, flex your arms and legs to absorb the shock and lift off your feet.
• Plan your route in advance and have an alternative in case of snow or ice.

Be Visible

People cycling are safest when they are visible to other road users. Position yourself correctly on the road to be part of the flow of traffic, which increases visibility.

Be Vigilant

People cycling should be aware of their surroundings and anticipate obstacles, other road users and changes in infrastructure. Avoid wearing earphones or using your phone for calls or texting while cycling.

Be Predictable

People cycling are predictable when they ride in a straight line and communicate (signal) their intentions about changing position or direction. By riding in a straight line, it is easier for surrounding traffic to predict your actions.

Ride one metre away from the curb, avoid the gutter, and stay away from opening doors along parked cars. When cycling through an intersection, avoid moving into the right-turn lane, as this indicates to drivers that you intend to turn right. Instead, travel in the right-hand through lane.

Positioning at Intersections

At traffic lights, it is not safe to overtake (on the right), so either wait your turn or consider overtaking (on the left) to advance before pulling in to the flow of traffic.

Be Aware of Large Vehicles

Never cycle in a driver’s “blind spot,” as they are unable to see you if they turn. Always maintain enough distance behind or in front of any large vehicle so the driver can see you. If you are unable to see the driver’s eyes, they are unlikely to see you.