Explore Vaughan by bike this spring
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Cycling safety tips for the longer, warmer days ahead
Are you gearing up to ride your bike this spring? With longer daylight hours and rising temperatures, the City of Vaughan is urging eager cyclists to bike responsibly. Here are a few tips to ensure your spring rides are fun and safe:
- Before heading out, inspect your bike and ensure all equipment (including tires, helmet, lights and more) are in tip-top shape, especially if the bike has been in storage all winter.
- Wear layers of clothing and dress according to changing weather conditions, including sunlight, rain showers, wind and more.
- Avoid riding through puddles as potholes and other hidden road conditions can be underneath.
- Follow the rules of the road – keep to the right, use proper hand signals, obey traffic lights and stop signs, and let pedestrians know you’re approaching them by ringing a bell or horn.
Whether you are an experienced cyclist or riding for the first time, bike safety protocols apply to all. Always put safety first!
CYCLING SAFETY
A bicycle is considered a vehicle under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. This means cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities to obey all traffic laws as other road users. Cyclists are also required to wear a helmet if under the age of 18 and have the following on their bike:
- white reflective tape on the front forks
- red reflective tape on the rear forks
- a white front light
- a red rear light or reflector
- a working bell or horn
eBIKES
Micromobility devices – such as e-scooters, golf carts, Segways, electric skateboards, hoverboards and other motorized personal vehicles – should not be used on sidewalks, cycle tracks, shared pedestrian and bike paths or recreational trails in the city. Exemptions apply to those who require motorized wheelchairs and medical devices to get around. To report unsafe sightings, contact Access Vaughan by phone at 905-832-2281 or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca with the date, location and nature of the incident. You can also report concerns to York Regional Police through the non-emergency phone line at 1-866-876-5423 or through the online form at yrp.ca. Visit vaughan.ca/micromobility to learn more about these devices in Vaughan.
VAUGHAN’S CYCLING AND MULTI-USE RECREATIONAL TRAILS NETWORK
- The current cycling and multi-use recreational trails network in Vaughan is growing, and consists of the following:
- In-boulevard cycle tracks: designated space for cyclists that are separate from pedestrians and motorists. These areas are marked with a bicycle symbol and diamond.
- On-road bike lanes: designated space for cyclists that are separate from pedestrians but run along the same road as motorists. These areas are made visible with pavement markings.
- In-boulevard multi-use pathways: shared space for pedestrians and cyclists that are separate from motorists. These areas are within the boulevard along a roadway.
- Multi-use recreational trails: shared space for pedestrians and cyclists found within parks and open spaces.
The City continues to advance active transportation by offering a full range of options to get around – including by bike. Some of these projects include the 2020 Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan Update, the Vaughan Super Trail, the Clark Avenue Cycle Tracks, the expansion of the Humber Trail system, closing gaps on the Bartley Smith Greenway Trail, trail upgrades at North Maple Regional Park, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Cycling Network Plan and more. A comprehensive update on all of these projects is outlined in Vaughan’s Active Transportation Programs - Second Annual Update (PDF).
For more information, visit vaughan.ca/cycling. You can also explore Vaughan’s cycling facilities in the York Region Cycling Map.