Bicycle Brakes:

Question:What are the Ontario rules and possible penalties for riding a bicycle without proper brakes?

Answer:Garrett Legal Services can help paralegals explain Ontario’s bicycle braking requirement: you can’t ride on a highway unless the bike has at least one brake system acting on the rear wheel that enables the rider to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, and clean pavement, per Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 64(3).  If you’re convicted and the Act doesn’t specify a penalty for that contravention, the general fine can be not less than $60 and not more than $1,000 under Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 214(1).  Convictions may also show on your record and can affect insurance, so call (519) 857-5170 to discuss your situation in Ontario.

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Understanding the Braking Requirements for Bicycles Operated Upon Roadways Including Potential Penalties

Many bicyclists may be surprised to learn that many traffic laws apply specific to bicyclists; including, among others, the requirement that a bicycle have a braking system capable of making the rear tire skid on dry, level, and clean pavement.  If charged convicted, a bicyclist will have the charge applied to the driving record (Motor Vehicle Report) of the bicyclist.

Note: Please contact Garrett Legal Services by phone at: (519) 857-5170 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.

The Law

The requirement that a bicycle must have a braking system capable of leaving a skid mark is prescribed per section 64(3) of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8.  The applicable penalty upon conviction for a violation is found at section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act as section 64(3) is silent about, meaning failing to state, the penalty details.  Specifically, section 64(3) and section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act state:

Accordingly, per the general penalty stated within section 214(1) as is shown above, the fine for operating a bicycle without a brake capable of causing the rear tire to skid on dry, level, and clean, pavement is in a range from sixty ($60) dollars to one thousand ($1,000) dollars.  Additional penalties will include the statutory victim surcharge plus court cost.  Furthermore, although such a charge involves operation of a bicycle, upon a conviction the bicyclist will have the conviction regarded as a driving offence which may result in consequences to automobile insurance rates.

Summary Comment

Operating a bicycle without a proper braking mechanism is risky to the bicyclist and others; and accordingly, the law forbids doing so and imposes a fine of up to one thousand ($1,000) dollars upon a finding of guilty when a bicyclist is charged and convicted.