Cyclists don't feel safe riding on Sudbury's busy streets

Cyclists across Greater Sudbury say close calls with vehicles are common.

That's despite a new safety rule that came into effect last year.

In Ontario, drivers must leave one metre of space when passing a cyclist.

The new legislation was adopted last fall, but cyclists around Sudbury feel many motorists either aren't aware of the rule or ignore it.

Jamie Lamothe, who bikes to work daily, says a recent close call involving a pickup truck hasn't deterred him from cycling.

But he uses defensive cycling skills for his own safety.

"By looking at drivers, making eye contact with them, by using hand signals, by not doing things that would be unexpected on the road, we can make it easier for drivers to anticipate what the cyclists would do," he told CBC News.

Rules apply to both cyclists and drivers

Greater Sudbury Police Constable Rick Carr says police nab violators of the one-metre rule either by observation, or through complaints.

Carr says cyclists have just as much right to be on the road as vehicles do.

"Under the Highway Traffic Act, bicycles — as vehicles — are also required to stop at stop signs, stop at red lights, [and so on]," he said.

"And they are required to follow the other rules that govern vehicles on highways."

The fine for not complying with the one-metre rule is $110.

Meanwhile, some cycling enthusiasts are trying to educate drivers about the law.

The chair of the Sudbury Cyclists Union said motorists get impatient and don't want to share the road.

"We have to realize those people on bikes are not just annoyances," Rachelle Niemela  said.

"That's a father, or a mother, or a child, or grandparent, or a friend or a neighbour. Somebody that you know who may come to you afterwards and say, 'Hey you almost drove me off the road.' That's not something we want to see happen."

Niemela said education is needed to let drivers know the one-metre rule exists.

She added that more cycling infrastructure in Sudbury would also be helpful.