Overview

person wearing a helmet

People of all ages can ride a bicycle, and those 16 years or older can ride an e-bike (electronic bicycle).

You can learn more about cycling in the guides below. They cover topics such as:

  • how a bicycle should fit
  • safety equipment
  • bicycle safety checks
  • hand signalling
  • riding with traffic
  • understanding road and traffic signs

Cycling skills: Ontario's guide to safe cycling

A detailed handbook of rules and safety standards for any rider.

Young cyclist's guide

A kid-friendly handbook of cycling safety tips and rules for young riders.

Where you can ride

You can ride on:

  • most roads
  • bicycle lanes and cycling routes
  • multi-use trails and paths

You cannot ride:

  • on controlled access highways, such as Ontario's 400-series highways
  • within a pedestrian crossover to cross the street
  • within a crosswalk at any intersection or location with traffic signals
  • on sidewalks

Children under 10 can ride on the sidewalk until they develop the skills to ride on the road with traffic.

If you want to cross a road inside a pedestrian crossover or crosswalk, you must walk your bike to the other side.

Stay to the right

Ride in a straight line on the right-hand side of the road at least one metre from the curb or from parked cars, where practical.

When being passed, stay as close to the right side of the road as you can. You are allowed to use any part of the lane for safety reasons such as avoiding obstacles in your lane.

You do not need to stay to the right when:

  • preparing to turn left
  • passing another vehicle
  • you are going faster than other vehicles
  • the lane is too narrow to share

Required safety equipment

Bike helmets

Wearing a helmet can greatly reduce the risk of injury or death if you fall or collide with a car, pedestrian or other cyclists. A bicycle helmet is strongly recommended but not legally required if you are 18 or over.

The best helmet is one that:

  • fits properly
  • is worn correctly
  • has been manufactured to meet strict safety standards

Children and youth

By law, cyclists under the age of 18 must wear an approved bicycle helmet. For children age 16 and under, a parent or guardian must make sure they wear a helmet.

Children are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding in a child carrier or a bicycle trailer.

Other equipment required by law

  • bell or horn
  • lights and reflectors:
    • a white light mounted on front of your bike
    • a red light or reflector on the back at night
  • reflective tape:
    • white reflective tape on the front forks
    • red reflective tape on the rear forks

Cycling and the law

Under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act (HTA), a bicycle is considered a vehicle, just like a car or truck.

As a cyclist, you:

  • must obey all traffic laws
  • have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers
  • cannot carry passengers if your bicycle is only meant for one person

Bicycle traffic signals

Cyclists must obey bicycle traffic signals where they are installed and regular traffic signals otherwise. If both a bicycle traffic signal and regular traffic signal apply to the same lane, cyclists must obey the bicycle signal.

One-metre passing law

When passing a cyclist, drivers must maintain a minimum distance of one metre between their vehicle and the cyclist, where it is practical to do so. Cyclists are not required to leave a one-metre space, however, must still obey all the rules of the road. If you are being overtaken by a driver when riding, turn out to the right to allow the vehicle to pass.