Explore Vaughan by bike this summer
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With a growing network of trails and bike paths, riders are reminded to stay safe and follow rider etiquette
In recognition of Bike Month in June, the City of Vaughan is encouraging the community to get outside and explore local neighbourhoods, parks and trails by bike! Vaughan is home to a growing network of sidewalks, cycle tracks, bike lanes, multi-use paths and recreational trails, and the City continues to proactively take steps towards advancing 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 bike paths, the expansion of the Humber Trail system, the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Cycling Network Plan and more. A comprehensive update on all of these projects is outlined in this year’s Active Transportation Annual Report.
When riding a bike, remember to put safety first. Here are some cycling safety tips and etiquette that should be followed:
CYCLING SAFETY TIPS
A bicycle is considered a vehicle under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA). 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
RIDER ETIQUETTE
When sharing space with pedestrians, cyclists should:
- keep to the right.
- pass on the left when safe to do so.
- yield to pedestrians.
- let pedestrians know they are approaching with a friendly greeting or by ringing a bell or horn.
When riding along or on the road, cyclists must:
- travel in the same direction as motorists.
- obey traffic lights and stop signs.
- use hand signals to communicate their intentions with motorists and pedestrians.
For more information on cycling safety, visit vaughan.ca/cycling.
MICROMOBILITY
Micromobility devices that are motorized – such as e-scooters, golf carts, Segways, electric skateboards and hoverboards – 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. People operating motorized medical devices are treated in the same way as pedestrians on foot and are permitted on sidewalks, paths and trails. To report unsafe micromobility sightings, citizens can contact Access Vaughan by phone at 905-832-2281 or email at accessvaughan@vaughan.ca with the date, location and nature of the incident. The City is tracking these cases to inform future safety measures. Citizens can also report concerns of micromobility device usage on public roadways to York Regional Police through the non-emergency phone line at 1-866-876-5423 or through the online form at yrp.ca. Explore vaughan.ca/micromobility to learn more about motorized micromobility devices in Vaughan.
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