It’s Bike Season!
Toronto has a great trail network that takes us through parks, valleys, and city streets. With this vast trail network, even rule-abiding riders could be taken by surprise with certain fines.
E-Bikes. We Love ‘Em. We Hate ‘Em.
And with e-bikes on the scene, we thought we’d break down which bikes can travel in what lanes, and how vehicles and cyclists can both get hit with some hefty fines if we don’t know the rules. First, let’s make sure we’re in the correct bike lane and what those fines look like, if we’re not.
Know Your Lane.
Human Powered Bicycles…you know. The ones you probably rode down the street as a kid.: They can go on any bike path or trail. Just no sidewalks, unless you’re under 14 years old. Get caught on a sidewalk? That’ll cost you $60. For aggressive sidewalk offenses, the province could jump in with a careless driving charge up to $2,000.
Now let’s get into e-bikes and break them into their 3 categories.
The first class are power‑assisted only. That means with pedals, some human power is required, motor is less than 500 watts, max speed of 32Km, total weight 120kg.
If that’s you, same rights as regular bicycles, but riders under 14 years old? No sidewalk.
How about a Power-assisted E-bike? If it still meets the same weight and speed restrictions as an e-bike BUT no muscular power is needed, you belong on the road inside those painted bike lanes (where cars share the space). But that’s it. Stay off the cycling trails! Any cycling path or trail separated in any way by curbs, planters or posts, or any lane that is shared with pedestrians or joggers, these trails ain’t for you.
And the third most powerful type, you’re gonna’ need an M license, even if they’re low powered. Think Mopeds, low powered motorcycles. Anything that reaches over 32Km. Basically you’re like a car. Vehicle lanes only.
So How Much Money Are We Talkin’?
Helmets? Only Required on a bicycle if you’re under 18. No helmet on the kid? Under 16 years old, charge goes to the parents. With court fees, that’s around $75-$100. 17 or 18 years old? Fine goes to the kid.
On an e-bike? Grab a helmet. $60 fine
Every class of bicycle must come with a bell, gong, or horn. Don’t have one? $85.
Cyclists must obey traffic signals, signs, lane markings, and use hand signals when turning. Fines for breaking these laws? Anywhere from $110 to $325.
You may be thinking, I only drive a car! Well, bikes can affect you too. Drivers who open their car door into a cyclist’s path? $356 fine, including victim surcharge and court fees, plus three demerit points. If a driver contests the charge but gets convicted, the fine can reach $1,000 and three points.
Fail to yield to a cyclist? Up to $650
Unsafe right turn across a bike lane? Up to $325
Careless driving that endangers a cyclist? Up to $2,000
Stopping in or blocking a cycling lane? $200
After watching, do you feel you’ve got what it takes to take our cycling quiz? Check out my-toronto’s bike regulation reel on instagram @mytorontonews. Or visit my-toronto.ca and search cycle.
Most of all, get out there and enjoy the trails. Like, share, comment and check us out at my-toronto.ca. We are your online Toronto lifestyle magazine.