ajax.ca/ata

BikeableAjax

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Bicycle Friendly CommunityProviding residents with transportation options is a key component to building a livable, enjoyable community. The Town is dedicated to creating a safe, integrated network of active transportation facilities. Ajax is proud to be one of Ontario’s first Bicycle Friendly Communities. This designation from share the Road Canada, recognizes our extensive cycling network of dedicated bike lanes, shared-roadways and multi-use trails.

Welcome Cyclists NetworkNumerous local businesses have registered to be a part of the Ajax Welcome Cyclists Network. This program certifies and promotes bicycle friendly businesses that offer basic amenities to cyclists. All Welcome Cyclists businesses offer bike parking, washrooms, water refilling, and local cycling route information at no cost. The Town has also provided each business with a basic bike repair kit. Look for the Welcome Cyclists logo in store windows. For a list of participating Ajax businesses, go to www.visitajax.ca.

Walkable + Bikeable AjaxDownload the Walkable + Bikeable Ajax bike route and trail map at visitajax.ca.

Cycling Facilities

Bike Lanes

What are they?Bike lanes are dedicated spaces for cyclists to ride. They are marked by a solid white line, a painted bike, and diamond symbol.

How to use them:Cyclists should ride in the centre of a bike lane, travelling in the same direction as traffic. Parking, standing or driving a motor vehicle in a bike lane is generally prohibited. Motorists can cross bike lanes only if turning right at an intersection, entering a driveway or designated parking spot.

Multi-Use Trail

What are they?Multi-use trails are asphalt or gravel pathways. They are wider than traditional sidewalks to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.

How to use them:Multi-use trails are designed to be shared by pedestrians and cyclists. Slower moving traffic should stay to the right and cyclists should indicate their presence or desire to pass using their bell or by shouting “passing on the left”. Cyclists should slow down when approaching pedestrians and be alert when approaching driveways. Riders must dismount their bikes and walk through crosswalks.

Shared Roadway (Sharrows)

What are they?Shared roadways are marked with “sharrows” (painted bike marking with two chevrons). These markings are painted on designated bike routes and act as a reminder to drivers and cyclists that they have equal rights to the road.

How to use them:Cyclists and motorists share the lane. The symbol indicates the preferred location for the cyclist to ride. A cyclist has a right to the full lane where roads are narrow. Parking is permitted on roads marked with “sharrows” (unless otherwise posted). When passing a vehicle or obstacle, cyclists can take the full lane.

Sidewalk

What are they?Sidewalks are meant for pedestrians, not cyclists.They are a narrow separated space where travel speeds are low.

Why they are just for pedestrians:Cyclists travel at significantly higher speeds than pedestrians and do not have sufficient time to avoid a collision with a pedestrian. Cycling on the sidewalk is also dangerous at driveways and intersection as drivers are not looking for someone travelling at a higher speed than pedestrians.

Cycling S

afetyCommunication is important. Use the appropriate hand signals to indicate your intentions to all other road users.

Cycling Laws You Should KnowBicycles are considered vehicles under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA). While operating one, you have the same rights and responsibilities regarding traffic laws as other road users. Below outlines some of the important regulations all cyclists should know before riding on the road. Cyclists can be fined for not complying with these regulations.

Riding on the RoadWhen riding in traffic, slower moving vehicles should always stay to the right. Do not pass vehicles stopped at a traffic control on the right unless you are turning right or travelling in a designated bike lane.

Always travel in the same direction as traffic when riding on the street.

Motorists don’t always look for cyclists when making right hand turns, be cautious when approaching an intersection.

When riding on a street with parked cars, ride in a straight line to the left of the parked vehicles. Be mindful of drivers who may open car doors.

Riding in a bus or truck’s blind spot is very dangerous. Give large vehicles the appropriate amount of space to ensure the driver can see you.

Left Turn Stopping

Right Turn Right Turn

Images courtesy of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation

Identification to Police (HTA 218.1)A police officer who finds any person contravening the HTA or any municipal by-law regulating traffic while in charge of a bicycle may require that person to stop and to provide identification of himself or herself.

Helmets (HTA 104)Every cyclist under 18 years of age must wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding a bike.

Bike Bell (HTA 75.5)Every motor vehicle, motor assisted bicycle and bicycle shall be equipped with an alarm bell, gong or horn, which shall be kept in good working order and sounded whenever it is reasonably necessary to notify pedestrians or others of its approach.

Riding in crosswalks prohibited (HTA 140.6/144.29)No person shall ride a bicycle across a roadway within or along a crosswalk at an intersection or at a location other than an intersection that is controlled by a traffic signal.

Sufficient passing space (HTA 148.4)Every vehicle on a highway meeting a person travelling on a bicycle shall allow the cyclist sufficient room when passing.

Stopping (HTA 114/136)Anyone operating a vehicle must stop at red lights and stop signs and obey all other traffic signs and signals.

Lights (HTA 62.17)Every bicycle must be equipped with front and rear lights when riding between a half an hour before sunset and a half an hour after sunrise. In addition, white reflective material shall be placed on its front forks, and red reflective material shall be place on its rear.

OR

Sheltered Bicycle ParkingThe Town is committed to providing adequate bicycle parking at all municipal facilities. In an effort to improve current bicycle parking, shelters were installed at the Ajax Town Hall Complex, Ajax Community Centre and the McLean Community Centre. These shelters provide bicycles with protection from the elements during inclement weather. GO Transit also provides sheltered bike parking at the Ajax GO Station. In addition, covered bicycle parking has been installed at the Discovery Pavilion at Greenwood Conservation Area.

These parking facilities are available for public use. Be sure to purchase a quality bike lock to use when parking your bike at any one of these facilities.

Signs and B

icycle Parking

Reserved Bicycle Lane SignThese signs designate an on-road lane for the exclusive use of cyclists.

Blue Street Name SignsIn an effort to reduce the number of signs along the roadway, the Town has adopted a unique signage program that incorporates bike route signage into street name signs. The blue signs contrast with the traditional green signs and visibly mark a bike route.

Share the Road SignThese warning signs are installed to remind motorists to share the road. They are also used on roads designated for cycling or where cycling is known to occur in built-up urban areas.

Bike Route SignThese signs are used on segments of a shared roadway. They guide cyclists along designated routes within a greater bike network.

Yield SignAt a yield sign, stop if necessary and wait for a safe gap in traffic before proceeding into the intersection.

Stop SignAt a stop sign, vehicles must come to a complete stop and proceed through the intersection when it is safe to do so.

Bike This Way SignsThese wayfinding signs help cyclists navigate between Downtown Ajax, the Ajax Community Centre and the Ajax Go Station. They provide cyclist with distance and expected travel time to their destination from the location of the sign.

Trail Etiquette and E-Bikes

E-BikesTrail Etiquette

Participate in annual cycling events in Ajax, including Trailfest & the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure!

visitajax.ca.

Power assisted bikes or e-bikes have a battery-powered electric motor that increases the amount of power to the wheels and reduces the amount of pedaling for the cyclist. E-bike riders must follow the same rules laid out in the Ontario Highway Traffic Act that currently apply to cyclists. There are a several exceptions including:

Ajax trails are for everyone’s enjoyment. There are important etiquette rules that trail users should know: • Obeyallsignsandtrafficsignals.Beextramindful at road crossings.

• Cyclists,skateboardersandin-lineskatersmust yield to pedestrians on the trail. • Slowermovingtrafficshouldkeeptotherightto allow for safe passing.

• Passontheleftanduseabellorclearlysay “passing on the left” to alert slower traffic.

• Donotlitteralongthetrailroutes.

• Protectanddonotdisturbtheexistingwildlife.

• Beawarethatnon-pavedareasofthetrailsare vulnerabletodamagefromfootwearandwheels, especially after a rain.

• Alle-bikeoperatorsmustbeatleast16yearsofage.

• Alle-bikeoperatorsmustwearanapprovedbicycleormotorcyclehelmetatalltimes.

• Ane-bike,withoutitsoperator,musthaveamaximumweightof120kg (this includes the weight of the vehicle and the battery).

All traffic laws that apply to bicycles also apply to e-bikes, therefore, e-bikes are not permitted to travel where non-motorized bicycles are not allowed, including sidewalks. This includes controlled-access highways and municipal roads and sidewalks where by-laws do not permit bicycles. In addition, under the Town’s Parks By-laws e-bikes are only permitted to be driven on roadways. They are not permitted to be driven on trails unless they are being propelled only by the operator without the assistance of the motor.

E-bikes must have a bell or horn and front and rear lights. Operators of e-bikes are not required to hold a driver’s license, have their e-bike registered or plated or have motor vehicle insurance.

ajax.ca/ata

Cycling Network Highlights

•90kmof trails

•28kmof on-roadfacilities

•21WelcomeCyclistBusinesses

For more information on Ajax’s cycling program, contact:

Email: cycling@ajax.ca

Phone:905.619.2529,ext.3238