Braun's Bicycle Blog » Community Involvement

Ministry of Transportation-Safety information for Bicycles and E-Bikes

Kim — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:08:20 +0000

Bicycles

Can be operated on roads in Ontario. In the HTA, the definition of bicycle includes tricycles and unicycles but not motor-assisted bicycles. You do not need a drivers licence to operate a bicycle in Ontario.

A bicycle is a vehicle that:

has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals
is designed to be propelled by muscular power
has no age restriction for operators
can be operated on most roadways (e.g., not allowed to travel on 400 series highways)
cannot be operated across a roadway within a pedestrian cross-over

An operator must wear a bicycle helmet if under 18 and operating the bicycle on the road. If the operator is under 16 it is the duty of the operator’s parent or guardian to ensure that he/she wears a helmet. If the person is 16 or 17 it is his or her personal responsibility to wear a helmet.

No passengers are allowed if the bicycle is only meant for one person. When going slower than the rest of traffic, cyclists should stay as close to the right edge of the road as is practicable. Cyclists are allowed to safely use the full lane if staying close to the right edge of the road is unsafe.

Electrical Bicycles (“e-bikes”)

Can be operated on roads in Ontario.

From October 3, 2006 to October 3, 2009, the province of Ontario conducted a three-year pilot program to test the safe integration of electric power-assisted bikes (e-bikes) on Ontario roads. Effective October 3, 2009, electric bikes (both those resembling conventional bicycles and those resembling motor scooters) are permanently allowed on roads and highways where conventional bicycles are currently permitted. They must follow the same rules of the road as set out in the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) that currently apply to cyclists, with some exceptions.

In order to operate an e-bike:

Operators must be 16 years of age or older;
All operators must wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet at all times.

In addition:

No person who is the owner or is in possession or control of an e-bike shall permit a person who is under the age of 16 years to ride on, drive or operate the e-bike on a highway.
An e-bike must not be ridden on, driven or operated unless it is good working order.
Similar to bicycles and mopeds, power-assisted bicycles are prohibited from use on certain provincial controlled-access highways.
Any municipal by-law prohibiting bicycles from highways under their jurisdiction also apply to e-bikes. Municipalities may also pass by-laws specific to e-bikes that prohibit them from municipal roads, sidewalks, bike paths, bike trails, and bike lanes under their jurisdiction.

To operate an e-bike on Ontario roads, an e-bike must meet the following equipment requirements:

Have a maximum unladen weight of 120 kg (includes the weight of vehicle and battery).
Must be equipped with at least two independent braking systems that applies force to each wheel and is capable of bringing the e-bike, while being operated at a speed of 30 km/h, to a full stop within 9 metres from the point at which the brakes were applied.
Must have wheels with a minimum diameter and width of 350 mm and 35 mm respectively.
Must have all electrical terminals completely insulated or covered and, along with the battery and motor, must be securely fastened to the bicycle to prevent them from moving while the bicycle is in motion.
No modifications to the motor of an e-bike to permit it to exceed the federal requirements for motor output or speed for an e-bike (500W and a speed greater than 32 km/h) are allowed.
Must meet the federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle (for the full definition, please see subsection 2(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which includes:
- Has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals;
- Is designed to travel on not more than three wheels;
- Has an electric motor that has a power output rating of 500W or less. (Note: the motor is electric, and is incapable of propelling the cycle at speed of 32 km/h or greater on level ground, without pedaling) and
- Bears a permanently affixed label by the manufacturer stating in both official languages that the vehicle conforms to the federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle (refer to image below).

Sample label

THIS VEHICLE IS A POWER
ASSISTED BICYCLE AND
MEETS ALL THE
REQUIREMENTS UNDER
SECTION 2(1) OF THE
CANADA MOTOR VEHICLE
SAFETY REGULATIONS.

CE VÉHICULE EST UNE BICYCLETTE
ASSISTÉE ET RECONTRE LA NORME 2(1)
DU RÈGLEMENT SUR LA SÉCURITÉ
DES VÉHICULES AUTOMOBILES DU CANADA.

……………………..

Enjoy your ride. Follow the rules of the road and stay SAFE!

The above information is from the Ministry of Transportation website and gives safety information for Bicycles and E-Bikes. For further information please see the Ministry of Transportation website at http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/vehicle/emerging/

Waterloo Explores Bike Parking

Kim — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:08:54 +0000

According to the 570 News article from June 29, 2010 titled “Waterloo Explores Bike Parking“ local cyclists can have a part in helping to decide where a secure bicycle parking facility should be located and the format a map, outlining local bikeways, should be. You may complete the following short survey until August 15 https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q3DTD56%20 and help provide feedback on the two elements. A public meeting will also be held in September to gather more information.

Take a few moments and fill out the survey! Your feedback is important.

GPS Cycling Study

Kim — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:08:57 +0000

CALLING ALL CYCLISTS in the Waterloo Region! The Region of Waterloo and the University of Waterloo are doing a GPS Cycling Survey and you can be a part of it. The information collected will be used to update the Cycling Master Plan. The following is the information from the Region of Waterloo Website.

Do you enjoy cycling? Do you wish Waterloo Region was more cyclist-friendly? Here is your chance to help make it happen!

WHAT IS IT? The Region of Waterloo and the University of Waterloo are conducting a GPS Cycling Survey to help the Region update its Cycling Master Plan. Volunteer cyclists are asked to carry around a GPS unit for a 2-week period, complete a cycling survey, and complete a one-day travel diary. The GPS unit itself is quite small; about the size of a large USB stick. It can easily fit in your jacket pocket or knapsack, but should be kept visible while you cycle. We have attached lanyards so they can be worn around the neck while cycling.

WHY ARE WE DOING IT? To find out where the most popular cycling routes are and what cycling facility and infrastructure types are most preferred. Results from this survey will be used to update the Cycling Master Plan and determine snow clearing priority routes for cyclists, which could improve winter cycling in Waterloo Region.

WHO CAN TAKE PART? All cyclists in Waterloo Region are invited to take part. It doesn’t matter if you cycle long or short distances, use trails or roads; if you cycle this survey is for you. Tell your friends!

WHEN? This survey started in March 2010 and will continue until early 2011. The Region has purchased 50 GPS units for this survey, which are rotated to volunteers on a monthly basis.

WHERE? Anywhere in Waterloo Region, including: Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and the Townships.

HOW? Contact John Hill, Principal Planner at the Region to sign up today!
p: (519) 575-4019 | e: jhill@regionofwaterloo.ca

MORE DETAILS!

Expectations of our participants include:

Sign the consent form
Pick up the GPS unit*
Carry the GPS unit when you cycle for a 2-week period
Return the unit when the study period is over*
Complete a cycling survey and one-day travel diary
Spread the word to fellow cyclists – the more data we can collect, the better!

Please Note: The pick-up and drop-off times will be determined by your availability. We do our best to accommodate the schedules of as many people as we can. For those participants who are unavailable during the designated times, delivery can be arranged.

Questions? Contact John Hill, Principal Planner at the Region
p: (519) 575-4019 | e: jhill@regionofwaterloo.ca

Bike Train Ontario

Kim — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:18:59 +0000

Here is a great new idea to make your cycling holiday easy and accessible…” The Bike Train“….. Originally launched in 2007 and running between Toronto and Niagara it features select passenger rail trains equipped with bike racks. You travel comfortably in the passenger car while your bike is transported securely in a baggage car. Bike Train staff are available onboard to provide cycling maps and provide information.

This summer the Bike Train will connect Toronto with areas such as North Bay, Windsor/Essex and Point Pelee, Niagara and Montreal, all offering different cycling options. New for 2010 will be the Muskoka Pilot Project which will take place 2 weekends in the late summer. Please see the website for specific details on dates and prices.

For further information please call:

Toronto: 416-338-5083
Toll Free Canada/USA 1-866-333-4491
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Email: Peter Lipscombe, plipsco@toronto.ca

Biking directions added to Google Maps (for our American friends)

Kim — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:18:56 +0000

Effective in March of 2010 Google Maps have added cycling routes to their U.S. maps. For anyone heading to the States to do some biking this could be a really useful tool!!

According to the article on The Official Google Blog, Google Maps features include as much bike trail data as possible, provide efficient routes, allow riders to customize their trip, make use of bike lanes, calculate rider-friendly routes that avoid big hills and customize the look of the map. There are more than 12,000 miles of trails included in the biking directions and outlined directly on the map and also data on bike lanes and recommended streets for 150 cities across the United States.

I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until cycling routes in Canadian cities are also added.

If anyone has tried this let us know how it worked for you!!

Kim

Cycling Master Plan follow up

Kim — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:20:17 +0000

On street bike lanes, better signs and increasing the now 45 km of bike lanes and trails to 120 km during the next 20 years are some of the policy changes that were unveiled at the Cycling Master Plan information session on May 19, 2010 at City Hall, Kitchener, ON Canada.

According to an article in Kitchener’s local paper, The Record from May 20, 2010 titled “Cycling master plan detailed”, the following is a list of what local cyclists feel is important:

*Build a cycling network over time with regular, consistent funding.

*Develop, implement and maintain a trail and cycling way-finding and signage strategy.

*Continue to partner with Waterloo Region on transportation-demand management to promote cycling as viable transportation to work places.

*Recognize and include appropriate cycling infrastructure in every new road reconstruction project.

*Consider the cycling network in all community plans and plans of subdivision to create comfortable and direct bikeways.

A draft of the Cycling Master Plan is to be presented to City Council in June. For complete details regarding The Cycling Master Plan proposals and information that was presented at the information session on May 19th please go to http://www.kitchener.ca/pdf/cycling_public_info_session2_2010_05_13.pdf . If you have any comments or questions you can contact Ron Schirm at ron.schirm@kitchener.ca or call 519-741-2232.

E-BIKE RALLY and RIDE

Kim — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 13:09:04 +0000

E-Bike owners or those interested in more information on E-Bikes may enjoy attending this event today at Victoria Park, Kitchener from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be information on E-Bikes, demos and the opportunity to become involved with an E-Bike Club/Group. For all the details see the Kijiji ad.

Three foot bicycle passing law

Kim — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:12:12 +0000

On Tuesday, May 18, in the Ontario, Canada legislature, NDP Transit critic Cheri DiNovo introduced a private member’s bill requiring vehicles to give 3-feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. The clearance would increase to 4 feet when travelling on roads with speeds of between 50 – 80 km/hr and to 5 feet when speeds are greater than 80km/hr.

Fines for this offence would be between $310 and $750.

Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne is reviewing Ontario’s cycling policies. A number of the States as well as France, Spain and Germany already have this type of law in place.

“… I’m not sure if it’s a matter of needing more laws, or a greater sense of respect for one another on the road,” says Ontario’s Premier Dalton McGuinty.

What do you think? Is this law a good idea or not? Is it a matter of a law or respect?

Like to do some further reading on this subject? Check out the following links.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-aims-to-increase-cyclist-safety/article1573602/

http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/811190–ndp-bill-proposes-3-foot-buffer-around-cyclists-on-road

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/712968

Introducing Kim – Our New Blog Editor

Kim — Mon, 31 May 2010 12:43:56 +0000

So, here I am, once again looking at a new opportunity - totally overwhelmed with all the new information I am to understand – let alone take charge of. However, I haven’t yet met a challenge I haven’t been able to meet. So, here it goes….

Bikes and I go a long way back. Well, at least 25 years. That’s when I married into the “Braun” family. It was not until the last ten years however, that cycling has been a REAL part of my life. From 2002 to 2006 I had the pleasure of being Tour Manager for the “Touring with Braun’s” Division of the company, planning and executing many cycling tours including BraunStorm, BraunWave and the Fall Theatre Classic. During this time I learned much about cyclists and cycling and how important distance, proper nutrition and hydration were and that scenery is so much better from the seat of a bike. Yet….I still don’t understand how the wind is always a headwind no matter what direction you are going.

Planning routes for the tours also gave me the opportunity to learn about many beautiful parts of Ontario and the cycling opportunities that were available. This is now where cycling gets “personal”. For the past few years we, as a family, have enjoyed many cycling/camping holidays including the Georgian Trail, the Oro-Medonte Rail Trail and the Greater Niagara Circle Route to name a few. Through these rides and others I have come to love my bike (thanks to Robert’s patience and unending adjustments) and cycling.

In my “other” life I am married to Robert (25 years now) and we have 3 awesome children (Becky, Rachel and Aaron), 1 rabbit and 5 degus. I am also a domestic engineer…..cook, cleaner, cheerleader, teacher, advisor, banker, chauffeur, mentor, vet, doctor, judge and jury….you get the idea.

So that’s me in a nutshell…. I look forward to taking the knowledge I have and applying it to this new position overseeing the many facets of Braun’s Bicycle Blog. I am privileged to have a group of knowledgeable cyclists to work with to bring you timely and informative cycling information twice a week through our blog postings.

Just let me know if there is a cycling / bicycle topic you would like to see covered or if you have a question for us or a comment!

Kim

Kitchener’s Cycling Master Plan – Info Sessions

Robert Braun — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:21:48 +0000

The City of Kitchener in Ontario, Canada is developing a Cycling Master Plan with the ultimate goal of creating policies, programs, design standards and infrastructure that support and promote both recreational and commuter cycling.

A meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 in the Rotunda at City Hall in downtown Kitchener, Ontario to present the proposed cycling network and policies that will be included in the Cycling Master Plan. Participants can view the proposed facility types, summaries of previous consultations and maps of the proposed cycling net work.

The draft master plan will be presented to the City Council in June for their approval.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

City Hall Rotunda, 200 King St. W., Kitchener, Ontario

If you would like more information but are unable to attend the above session, visit www.kitchener.ca

or call 519-741-2232

or TTY 1-866-969-9994

or email Ron Schirm at ronald.schirm@kitchener.ca

——————————————————————————————————————————

If you have a cycling event to be announced, let us know, and we’ll do our best to get the word out for you.

Welcome to Our Blog!

Robert Braun — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:52:40 +0000

We are excited to announce Braun’s Bicycle Blog and we are glad that you dropped by to see our new, wonderful comunication tool yourself! We are starting out with 3 of our key staff being regular contributors to our blog. Over the next 4 to 6 weeks, we will be adding a number of focus specific authors that we feel will really add to our the dialogue.

Let me start by introducing Glenn, Pat and myself Robert.

Glenn is Braun’s Guelph Store Manager and is involved in product selection and program development for the company. He has been involved in the bicycle industry for 28 years. This said Glenn has seen alot of changes in bikes and equipment and has quite an interesting perspective on Life with a bike. Glenn has raced BMX and Mountain bikes. Glenn is going to share his ideas in the blog on a regular basis.

Pat is Braun’s Assistant Store Manager for the Guelph store. Pat loves to ride a bike. If you want to get Pat excited let him get his hands on some brand new bike widget. Pat’s vast knowledge about cycling will be a great resource for us, all as he shares it in this blog. Pat loves riding road bikes and mountain bikes.

I’m the stuffy corporate guy, based in the Kitchener store who happens to love cycle touring and have been doing it since I was a teenager many decades ago. People often ask about the many programs and services that are available to help riders get the most out of their cycling equipment and rides. I am going to provide the details here in the blog and hopefully keep it interesting at the same time.

We are really excited about the blog and trust that you will find the articles interesting and will comment on them all. Your comments will help to bring the blog alive.