Cycling
Kingston promotes cycling as an active environmentally-friendly and and economical form of transportation (did you know is costs about $8000 a year to own a car).
Find out about the City's plans to further encourage cycling in Kingston in the Cycling and Pathways Study by developing the city's bikeway and trails. The City is also exploring a Bike Sharing System.
Review the rules of the road below and explore the cycling skills and other links and documents on this page to learn how to make the best and safest use of your bicycle on roads, trails – and Kingston Transit's popular Rack & Roll program, which lets you cycle part way and ride the rest.
Remember: always wear a helmet and use a light at night.
What's New
Sharrows – symbols painted on the road – are being added to the La Salle Causeway to provide cyclists with a cycling line of travel guidance and to remind motorists and cyclists to share the road.
Sharrows will be painted in both travel lanes of Ontario Street beginning at The Tragically Hip Way to the east side of the green lift bridge. Painting will take place one evening in early June, during off-peak hours (overnight) to avoid traffic delays.
The addition of the Sharrows, one of the tools used in the City's cycling network, and the increased signage will not change the use of the road but will assist cyclists in navigating through the corridor.
While the La Salle Causeway is owned by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), the City has been working with PWGSC to implement this Sharrow cycling initiative. And the City is moving the project forward with the full support of the Federal Government.
The City first introduced Sharrows in the summer of 2011. With guidance of Cycle Kingston, Kingston Coalition of Active Transportation, and the Kingston Velo Club, the Sharrow drawings have been fine-tuned for the La Salle Causeway initiative.
The Sharrows will be in place on the La Salle Causeway in time for several cycling related events happening in June such as Cycling Week, Commuter Challenge and the Shoreline Shuffle.
Rules of the Road apply to all vehicles
The official rules of the road are laid out in Part 10 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. Both automobiles and bicycles are legally considered vehicles under this Act, so cyclists need to know and obey the same rules as motorists to enjoy using the roadways. See the Roadsharing Guide developed with Cycle Kingston according to these rules of the road means that:
- Cyclists moving slower than the normal traffic speed should drive in the right-hand lane, or as safely to the right side as is practical (except when preparing to turn left).
- Cyclists have the right to use a full lane of traffic when travelling on the right side of the roadway is hazardous or does not allow them to maintain a straight predictable line.
- Cyclists belong on the road, not the sidewalk, because bicycles are vehicles.
- Motorists and cyclists must obey road signage, markings and traffic signals.
- Motorists and cyclists must signal their intention to turn or stop.
- Motorists and cyclists should drive/ride responsibly and defensively, be properly equipped, watch for hazards, and make sure they are seen and drive/ride in a predictable manner.
Know The Signs
