10 Tips for biking in the city

For a safe and enjoyable city biking experience, it’s important to respect the rules of the road by following traffic laws. This way, you will foster a positive relationship between everyone in the urban environment, including cars and pedestrians. To develop good traffic instincts, be respectful and use common sense.

In Québec, according to the law, the front of your bicycle needs to be equipped with a white reflector and the rear wheel with a red reflector, as well as one on each pedal. In Ontario, the law states that when biking at night, your bicycle needs to have a front headlight (white) and a red reflector in the back. Your bike frame should also have reflective material taped to the front and rear forks. Before heading out on your bike, we recommend double checking the rules and legislation that your province or municipality has put in place.

A good lighting system with both front and rear lights is the best way to ensure good visibility. For added safety, wear reflective clothing. A bell or flag also helps alert your presence to others.

Use mud guards to avoid having your back or pants splashed with mud or soaked by water. When running errands or bringing a bag to work, you’ll want to have racks and panniers installed on your bike to give you extra carrying space. You can also install a saddle bag under your bike seat to carry small essentials. If you have kids, mount a child’s bike seat to your frame to be able to safely transport your child to daycare or school. Don’t forget a rear-view mirror to check your surroundings and your blind spots.

Wear cycling clothing that is appropriate for the season. A rain jacket will keep you dry if it starts to rain as you make your way across town.

Unfortunately, too many cyclists unexpectedly collide with car doors (often referred to as “getting doored”). To avoid this situation, cyclists should always ride a safe distance of at least 1 m from parked cars. It goes without saying that both cyclists and drivers need to be paying careful attention at all times.

In an ideal world, drivers should open their door using the dutch reach: from the inside of the car using the hand furthest from the door handle. This automatically turns the driver’s head towards the road and allows them to check the blind spot behind them so as to avoid an unnecessary collision with a cyclist.

Equip your bicycle with a quality anti-theft system. Bike locks are still the best way to prevent a bike from being stolen. If your ride is secured properly, a thief is more likely to move on and target another bike. Want to keep your bicycle inside your apartment but don’t have enough space? Get a wall mount or some bike hooks to suspend or attach your bicycle to a wall or ceiling in your home.