Oxford, Elgin and St. Thomas are Share the Road communities. Bicycles are vehicles under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, with the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles. Drivers and cyclists must understand their responsibilities and work together to keep roads safe.
Safety tips for cyclists
- Wear a helmet (by law, all cyclists under 18 must wear a helmet)
- Wear bright colours and reflective strips
- Use a front white light and rear red light if biking at dawn, dusk or at night
- Ride as close to the edge of the road as possible on rural roads
- Ride at least 1 meter from the side of the road and parked cars in urban areas
- Be aware of drivers in parked cards opening their doors
- Yield to pedestrians
- Walk your bike (do not ride) across pedestrian crosswalks
- Take your turn when approaching an intersection and watch for vehicles turning right
- Always ride in the same direction as traffic
- Avoid riding in the blind spot of cars or trucks
Safety tips for drivers
- Pass a bicycle only when there is room and it is safe to do so, leaving at least 1 meter between the bike and your vehicle as you pass
- Be aware that a cyclist may ride in any part of the lane if their safety warrants it
- Ensure you are not cutting off a cyclist when you are turning right
- Watch for approaching cyclists when you are making a left turn
- Always check for bicycles before opening a car door on the side of the road
- Stay behind cyclists at railway crossings until they have finished crossing the tracks
- Avoid stopping or driving in a bicycle lane
Find cycling resources
- Visit the Share the Road website
- The Ontario Ministry of Transportation provides the Young Cyclist’s Guide for children and youth, and Cycling Skills information for all ages. You can also learn more about bike safety from CAA.
- Find information about cycling routes in Oxford, Elgin and St. Thomas on our Walking, Biking, Hiking page.