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Tips for Drivers:

• Look for cyclists on your right hand side. If you suspect that they might be there, pause to let them get out of your way, particularly if you’re pulling away from the curb to make a right turn.

• Always signal your turns well in advance. A cyclist on your right hand side may not see your turning lights if you signal too late.

• Be careful when swinging out wide to turn right. Cyclists may not correctly interpret your intentions, particularly if they haven’t seen your turning lights.

• Don’t pass a cyclist until it is completely safe to do so. Wait for the right moment and give them plenty of room. Under proposed new Highway Traffic Act amendments all vehicles are required to give cyclists one (1) metre of space when passing. Ideally, try to leave one point five (1.5) metres between your vehicle and the cyclist.

• Remember that if you have passed a cyclist just before approaching a traffic signal or junction, it is very likely that they will end up on your right hand side, since many cyclists don’t realize the size of a truck’s blind spot. If you can’t see the cyclist, assume that they are in one of your blind spots, especially if you are making a right turn.

• If you arrive at an intersection and there is already a cyclist waiting at the stop light, don’t drive past them, especially if you are making a right turn. This puts the cyclist in your blind spot and in danger!

• Don’t cross stop lines or infringe on bike boxes where they exist.

Diagram of a bike box showing proper stopping position (Image courtesy of the City of Edmonton)

• Don’t follow cyclists too closely – it can be intimidating.

• Remember the huge size difference between your vehicle and the cyclist. An adult cyclist may only reach the height of one of your wheels, so if in doubt, slow down around cyclists.

See here for our tips for Cyclists or return to the Stay Safe Stay Back home page.