Citizens for Safe Cycling

There is a danger zone for cyclists next to parked cars.

Cyclists: for your own safety, ride at least one metre away from motor vehicles. That is the only way to prevent getting doored – and it works. Don't let anyone push you any closer.

A car door springs open in only a few seconds. If a cyclist is passing by at that moment close to the car, the cyclist cannot avoid the door, and will be knocked off balance or onto the ground, leading to serious injuries and possibly death. This is a major cause of collisions. In Toronto, it is the most common cause of downtown cycling collisions.

Motorists: you (and your passengers) are responsible for checking for traffic – including cyclists – before opening a car door. And you will be charged under section 165 of the Highway Traffic Act if you cause a collision because you didn't check.

Cyclists: the only guaranteed solution is to stay out of the door zone (about one metre from the car). That way, even if a motorist opens a door without warning, you're far enough away to avoid it. That means:

• avoiding passing on the right if there's not enough space to pass, and
• taking extra space in the lane in order to stay away from the cars, even if it means that you hold up cars or force them to pass you outside of the lane. If you need to move left to do this, remember to signal and shoulder check first.
  

Unfortunately, it's impossible for cyclists to see in advance whether a vehicle door is about to open. Tinted windows and high headrests make it  impossible to see from behind if a car is occupied, and a door flies open in only a few seconds – not enough time to react.

Motorists: if you see cyclists riding one metre away from parked cars, please do not honk or yell at them for riding there, even if they slow you down for a brief time.. This is a safety issue and cyclists need to stay out of this danger zone.

On a cold January day, a bike ride is not on the top of everyone's to-do list. But those who took part in Citizens for Safe Cycling's first Winter Family Bike Parade had a great time.

On Sunday, January 22, at noon, about 50 Ottawans came to Laurier Avenue West on bikes and recumbent bikes, some with trailers or cargo bikes, to celebrate cycling in winter. In temperatures of around -12C, with a wind chill of -17C, the cyclists were greeted by CfSC president Hans Moor, VP Alex deVries and City Councillor Mathieu Fleury. Fleury had not cycled in winter before.

The parade cycled along Laurier Avenue from Bronson Avenue, and then turned around at Elgin Street to do the loop once more before they had their group picture taken in front of City Hall. About half an hour after they started, they entered City Hall, where they were served apple cider and cookies by CfSC secretary Alayne McGregor, and City Councillors Marianne Wilkinson and Katherine Hobbs.

So why would people go for a bike parade in mid-winter? Moor responded that they were first and foremost out for the fun of it, but also to prove that cycling in winter is certainly possible when bike infrastructure is taken care of, and that cold weather doesn’t have to be a deterrent as long as you dress properly.

Although cycling from A to B and having a cup of cider afterwards sounds like an easy thing to organise, it actually took quite a number of people to make this possible:

Read more: Ottawa’s First Winter Bike Parade: a Fun Event

An Ottawa cyclist was recently badly hurt after riding over an open grate opening which he didn't see in time. It was a very sad reminder that cyclists must be careful to avoid

• potholes
• cracks that can grab bicycle wheels
• grates or other ironworks that are missing, or broken, or surrounded by missing asphalt

Your best defence is to look ahead, ride at least 1 metre away from the curb (avoiding many of the problems), and ride around, not over, potholes/cracks/ironworks. And don't ride through puddles either; they can conceal potholes. A cycling traffic skills course (offered by the City of Ottawa) will also teach you how to dodge potholes.

And any time you see one of these, please report it so it gets fixed. See our table of who to call .

OTTAWA, 30 Nov. 2011 – Citizens for Safe Cycling says the traffic and parking plans for Lansdowne Park overestimate the number of people cycling to major events, especially considering the lack of effective bike infrastructure at and around the site.

"The City is counting on a large number of people cycling to football games and other major events, but isn't planning adequate facilities to attract and safely accommodate them," says Hans Moor, president of the local advocacy group. "That affects motorists, local residents and businesses as well as cyclists. If the city doesn't get the cyclists it expects, traffic congestion and parking availability will be worse."

Read more: Citizens for Safe Cycling says Lansdowne traffic plan is unrealistic