Use helmets and lights: Police call for cyclists to ride safe

Wearing a helmet, having the proper lighting at night and following the rules of the road.

Those are things RCMP are asking of cyclists as more people get out on the roads.

Some riders may not be aware, but the BC Motor Vehicle Act and Regulations state operators of bicycles have the same rights and duties as a driver of a motor vehicle. This includes things such as stopping at stop signs, obeying traffic lights, stopping at crosswalks, and staying on the right hand portion of the road way.

Police say bicycle riders can even get a red light ticket and the fine is the same as it is for drivers: $167.

“Failing to stop at stop signs, failing to yield to pedestrians, and disobeying traffic control devices are all ticketable offences whether you’re behind the wheel or astride the saddle,” a police news release stated.

Wearing an approved helmet is also mandatory, unless you have an exemption.

Helmet fines include:

• Fail to wear helmet: $29 (issued to riders 16 years and older)
• Permit cycling without helmet: $29 (issued to parent or guardian of rider 15 years and under)
  (Image credit: BC RCMP)

A proper fitting helmet should be:

• Snug: It does not slide from side-to-side or front-to-back;
• Level: It should sit on top of the head, covering the top of the forehead and not tilt in any direction;
• Stable: A chinstrap keeps the helmet from rocking. Replace a chinstrap is any part of the buckle breaks.

If you plan to ride after dark, make sure you know the rules about lights and reflectors. Cyclists riding at night must have the following on their bikes:

• White headlight (solid or flashing) at front;
• Red light (solid or flashing) OR red reflector at rear.

The fine for riding without proper lights or a reflector is $109.

While these are the minimum requirements for riding at night, if you want to increase your safety, follow these additional guidelines:

• Light yourself up – the more lights the better!
• The more reflectors the better;
• Wear high-visibility colours;
• No headphones! You need your ears more than ever when it’s dark.