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KelownaNow hit the streets to see if residents in the city were breaking any laws when it came to cycling.
A bicycle is considered the smallest vehicle on the roadway, therefore Kelowna RCMP say it’s important for cyclists to be visible, ride predictably and know how traffic works. Cyclists must follow the rules of the road, and if they don’t they could be fined for offences committed under the Motor Vehicle Act.
One of the most common offences KelownaNow noticed was that cyclists were riding on the sidewalk.
If a cyclist is stopped by an RCMP officer while riding on the sidewalk they could be fined $109. Cyclists can also be fined $109 for riding a bike on a crosswalk, failing to ride on the right side of the road, riding on a highway prohibited by signs and riding a bike after dark without lights.
Cst. Jesse O’Donaghey with the Kelowna RCMP said he didn’t have the number of tickets handed out last year to cyclists, however he did have a number of tips for bikers:
- Always ride with your bicycle with your hands on the handlebars;
- Always cross any roadway at intersections. When you pull out between parked cars, driver’s can’t see you coming;
- Walk your bike across busy intersections using the crosswalk and following traffic signals;
- Ride on the right-hand side of the street, so you travel in the same direction as cars. NEVER ride against traffic;
- Use bike lanes or designated bike routes whenever you can;
- Don’t ride too close to parked cars, as doors can open suddenly;
- Stop at all stop signs and obey street (red) lights just as cars do;
- Ride single file on the street with friends;
- When passing other bikers or people on the street, always pass to their left side;
General duty officers, traffic enforcement and the RCMP bike unit are the ones who enforce cycling laws under the Motor Vehicle Act in Kelowna.
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