Streetsville Village Times Article- April/May 2016

Spring is finally here, and what better way to start the spring season than to explore the City on your
bicycle! Cycling is a fun, healthy, economical, and environmentally friendly way to get around the City
on your own or with your friends and family. The City's cycling network includes more than 400
kilometres of on-road bike lanes, boulevard multi-use trails, off-road trails, and roadways, which have
posted bike route signs. In addition to the existing cycling infrastructure, the City plans to develop
more than 900 kilometres of on and off-road cycling routes in the next 20 years, through the Cycling
Master Plan.
There are many great on-road bike lanes, boulevard multi-use trails, off-road trails, and bicycle
friendly roads in and around our community, including the following, and I encourage you and your
family and friends to check them out this season:

Britannia Road (boulevard Multi-use Trail)- This multi-use trail runs parallel to Britannia
Road from Queen Street/Mississauga Road to Hurontario Street with links to Culham Trail,
Streetsville and Heartland Centre Shopping. (5.4 km)

David J. Culham Trail (off-road Multi-use Trail)- The Culham Trail is in two sections:
Dundas Street to Mississauga Road (Streetsville) and Church Street to Velebit Court with links
to University of Toronto Mississauga, Erindale Park, Streetsville Memorial Park and Riverwood
Community Centre. (11.2 km)

Erin Centre Boulevard (Bicycle Lanes)- Designated bicycle lanes from Ninth Line to Erin
Mills Parkway. This route provides links to Churchill Meadows, Erin Mills Town Centre and
Streetsville. (4.1 km)

Mississauga Road (Bicycle Lanes)- Designated Bicycle Lanes on two sections of

Mississauga Road: South Sheridan Way to The Collegeway (5.3 km), and Eglinton Avenue to
Erin Centre Boulevard. (0.75 km)

Cycling is a great way to get active and get around the City, but you must always ensure to be safe
when you are on your bicycle. Here are some great safety tips from the Mississauga Cyclists
Handbook to help you ensure that you and your family are safe when you are cycling:

Your bike should fit- Make sure you can stand over the crossbar of your bike. When sitting
you should comfortably reach the handlebars and your leg should be slightly bent while
touching the pedal at its lowest point.

Maintain your bike- Check regularly that your brakes allow you to quickly and easily stop and
your crank arm does not move back and forth. Well-inflated tires will reduce the chance of a
flat tire.

Be seen, stay safe- Ontario law requires that bicycles be equipped with a front white light and
rear red light or reflector. Lights, reflectors and bright clothing help drivers see cyclists at night.

Wear a helmet- A properly worn helmet will protect your head in a fall. In Ontario, cyclists 17
years of age and younger are legally required to wear one.

Ring your bell- Ontario law requires that bicycles be equipped with a bell or horn. Cyclists
should ring the bell whenever it is needed to notify pedestrians or others that you are
approaching.

Watch for pedestrians- Stop while pedestrians are on crosswalks and always be respectful.
When passengers are getting on and off school buses, cyclists must stop a reasonable
distance from the doors and allow them to safely cross the road.

Stay safe in traffic- Always keep control of your bike and be aware of traffic and pedestrians.
Stay alert and ride predictably in the safest part of the road to avoid collisions. Treat other road
users with respect.

Pay attention- Pay attention in traffic because drivers dont always look for bicycles. Check for
hazards such as potholes or car doors opening into your lane.

Obey traffic laws- You must stop at red lights and stop signs and always ride in the same
direction as traffic. Under Ontario law, the slowest moving vehicles occupy the road closest to
the curb.

Ride in a straight line- Drivers will understand your intentions if you ride confidently and
predictably in a straight line and away from parked cars. Do not swerve in and out of traffic.
Look back before changing lanes.

Intersections- When travelling straight through an intersection, try to make eye contact with
drivers. Your bike can legally occupy the entire lane if that is the safest way to proceed.

Signal your turn- Signal your intention to turn before you reach an intersection by using hand
signals or clearly pointing. Reduce your speed on turns especially on wet roads.

Avoid large vehicles- Be very cautious when riding near trucks, buses and other large
vehicles. Dont pass them in an intersection unless absolutely certain they are proceeding
straight.

I hope you and your family find these cycling safety tips useful. For more information about cycling in
Mississauga, please visit www.mississauga.ca/cycling. As always, if you need assistance with
municipal matters, please dont hesitate to contact my office at 905-896-5011 or
george.carlson@mississauga.ca.