Link: http://blog.rogersradiointernet.com/halinabalka/2008/07/21/biking-rules/

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July 21st, 2008 by halinabalka

Since many of you are considering dragging the old bicycle out of the garage for the first time in years, I thought I’d take a look at some of the rules of the road you need to follow. There are a lot of traffic laws you should be aware of in order to ride responsibly and safely.

First of all a bicycle is considered a vehicle under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA). So, as a cyclist, you are required to obey traffic laws just like motorists are. If you don’t it can cost you both a minimum set fine, as well as a Victim Surcharge for most offences.

Some of the rules for cyclists are the same as the ones for motorists. There are the obvious ones like signalling your turns. But there are others that you may not think apply to you. For example you can be charged with speeding. It may seem funny to think of a bike being able to exceed speed limits set for motorized vehicles but a bike going down a hill in a 40 km/hr zone can surpass the limit. You are also required to stop at stop signs.As a cyclist I admit I have been guilty of breaking this rule. When you are going down a hill with a stop sign at the bottom and you are facing an uphill ride it is very tempting to keep the momentum going. But it is a dangerous thing to do and you are facing an $85.00 fine plus a surcharge.Other traffic laws that could cost you the same amount are riding the wrong way on a one way street, not stopping behind streetcar doors to let people on and off and not yielding or stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks.If you do not stop behind a school bus when the red lights are flashing and the arm is out you could be fined $400.00.

There are also specific rules for cyclists regarding reflectors and lights. You also need to have a working bell – again an $85.00 fine plus a surcharge. You must have at least one brake system on the rear wheel. You are not allowed to carry passengers on a bicycle for one and you must wear a helmet if you are under the age of 18. Breaking this law carries a $60.00 fine.

You need to be aware of bike riding bylaws as well. For example in some jurisdictions you are not allowed to ride on sidewalks, you must have both hands on the handlebars and you must ride single-file.

Yes, there are a lot of laws that cyclists must follow. But if you are also a driver, just follow the same rules of the road for both and you should be okay. As far as the specific bylaws, keep your eyes open for signs that pertain to cyclists. In Etobicoke where I live you are not allowed to ride on sidewalks and that bylaw is very well posted.

Link: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051128/speed_limit_051128/20051128?hub=Canada

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New spyware could prevent drivers from speeding
Updated Mon. Nov. 28 2005 12:18 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Many motorists would balk at the idea of an electronic back-seat driver that forcefully prevents them from speeding.

But a new device being road-tested by Transport Canada could mean breaking the speed limit will no longer be an option.

Using global positioning satellite technology and a digital speed-limit map, the device makes it difficult for drivers to press down on the accelerator once they go above a certain speed limit.

The idea is sure to appeal to many road-safety experts, but the researcher in charge of the project admits some drivers will not welcome the idea of a machine that forces them to slow down.

"We are trying to assess the operational acceptance issues," Peter Burns, of Transport Canada's road safety directorate, told The Globe and Mail.

The pilot trial is believed to be the first of its kind in North America, but similar devices have already been tested in Sweden, the Netherlands and Britain.

Dr. Burns told The Globe that proponents of such devices are enthusiastic about the potential to reduce deaths and injuries from car crashes, as well as reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, which are greater at higher speeds.

"Excessive speed is a leading road safety challenge," he said, noting that speeding is a contributing factor in 25 per cent of fatal crashes across Canada.

Ten cars, driven by volunteers and outfitted with the Swedish-made speed-limiting system, have been testing the system on Ottawa's roads.

By spring, researchers hope to have collected enough data to see if the system actually changed the drivers' speeding habits before going ahead with a larger trial.

Using another 10 volunteer drivers, the project will also test the Otto Driving Companion, a less intrusive and commercially available system designed by Persentech, a Winnipeg firm.

The dashboard-mounted device also uses GPS technology, but only warns drivers with a voice alarm and a light if they start speeding.

The $290 devices are on sale in Winnipeg and Ottawa and will be available in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer starting this week.

Company president Frank Franczyk said he has sold 400 of the devices in Winnipeg alone and that customers appreciate the blue speed-warning light and even the voice that warns them they are going too fast.

Some even say their children speak up when they see the alarm go off.

"They say, 'Hey mom, the blue light's on. Why are you speeding?" Franczyk, who has plans to expand the service to Toronto, Hamilton, Vancouver and the United States, told The Globe.

In Europe, proponents have said that the technology should be mandatory in all vehicles and that insurance companies might offer discounts to drivers who use it.