Teen cyclist charged in collision with vehicle in Vaughan, Ont., police say
Police say 17-year-old was cycling the wrong way down a bike lane without a helmet, when they hit a vehicle
A teen cyclist has been charged after colliding with a vehicle while riding the wrong way down a bike lane in Vaughan, Ont., police say.
The collision happened around 3 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Beverley Glen Boulevard and Dufferin Street, York police said in a news release.
When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered a white vehicle in the right-turn lane of Dufferin Street, on the northbound side, and a damaged bicycle nearby.
Police said the cyclist, 17, was already being treated by paramedics for minor injuries. The driver of the vehicle was uninjured.
Police found that the teen had been cycling south in a northbound bike lane, without a helmet. Bicycle helmets are legally required for cyclists under the age of 18 in Ontario.
The 17-year-old has now been charged with careless driving and operating a bicycle without a helmet, police said.
In the release, police reminded road users that cyclists are subject to the same rules and responsibilities as motorists under the Highway Traffic Act. They urged cyclists to:
- Ride in the same direction as traffic and obey traffic signals and signs.
- Always wear a helmet if you are under the age of 18. Helmets are strongly recommended for cyclists of all ages.
- Have a working bell on your bicycle, and use lights and reflectors at night
- Stay visible and predictable to other people on the road