Bikes are involved in about 1,200 collisions a year in Toronto.

In contrast, there are about 52,000 collisions reported in the city annually.

“Cycling is a lot safer than people assume that it is,” said Jacquelyn Hayward Gulati, the city’s cycling infrastructure manager. “The scale of the problem is probably a lot smaller than people think.”

Toronto is celebrating Bike Month in June to encourage people to cycle to work or school.

Safety concerns hold some people back as physics does not favour cyclists when it comes to traffic mishaps.

According to fatality statistics provided by Toronto Police Const. Clinton Stibbe, no cyclist has died so far this year as the result of a collision.

There were four cyclist fatalities in Toronto last year, three in 2014, four in 2013 and three in 2012.

The death toll for pedestrians is much higher — 65 last year and 35 to date in 2016 — although far more people walk than cycle.

One of the most common collisions occurs when motorists fail to yield the right-of-way to cyclists, Hayward Gulati said.

Improper turning, passing and dooring are other major driver errors that contribute to accidents, she said.

Meanwhile, drivers complain that many cyclists don’t know or flout the laws of the road, frequently crossing intersections against red lights, she said.

“There are misconceptions about the rules from the cyclist side as well as from the driver’s side,” added Hayward Gulati, who spelled out many legal obligations for cyclists and the penalties they face for ignoring them.

•Cyclists, tight bike shorts and carrying ID: Ontario Transportation Ministry spokesman Bob Nichols says cyclists are obliged under the Highway Traffic Act to identify themselves to a police officer who believes they’re breaking the law. There is no obligation for a cyclist to carry ID so a verbal response is fine. A police officer has the option of handing a $110 fine to a cyclist who refuses to stop or provide a correct name and address.

•Red lights and stop signs: They’re not just for motorists, according to Hayward Gulati. Failing to stop at a red light can bring a cyclist a $325 ticket, or $490 if it’s considered to be careless driving. A cyclist faces a $110 fine for disobeying a stop sign. (The penalties include fine and fees.)

•Sidewalks: Sidewalk cycling is for kids. Anyone over the age of 14 can be fined $75 for cycling on the sidewalk, or $110 if it’s deemed to be reckless or dangerous to the public.

•Streetcars: The law requires cyclists to stop for open streetcar doors. The penalty for riding past open streetcar doors is $110, the same as it is for motor vehicles.

•One-way Streets: A cyclist has to follow the direction indicated or risk an $85 ticket. Hayward Gulati said the city is building special contraflow bike lanes that will allow cyclists to travel in the opposite direction on some one-way streets.

•Cycling while texting, drunk or high: Hayward Gulati said cyclists cannot be charged with the use of handheld devices or driving impaired under the Highway Traffic Act. However, a police officer can apply other charges to ticket cyclists who are impaired or operating a bicycle carelessly or recklessly, she said. “Drunk cycling is not an alternative to drunk driving, absolutely not.”

•Side-by-side riding: Cyclists are allowed to ride side-by-side in a lane provided they are not blocking faster traffic. So if there’s only one lane, they’re expected to ride in single file. If there are two or more lanes that allow vehicles to pass them, they generally can travel beside another cyclist.

•Signalling: Cyclists are required by law to signal their turns. Improper signalling is a $110 fine, Hayward Gulati said.

•Helmet heads: Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet while cycling. The fine for disobeying that rule is $75.

•Lights: Failing to have the required lights and reflectors yields a $110 ticket.

•Cars and right turns: If a vehicle is making a right turn where there is a bike lane, any cyclist coming through is considered to have the right-of-way and the driver must yield. If there is no bike lane, the motorist is always required to ensure that the way is clear before turning, Hayward Gulati said. Sometimes cyclists will go left around the vehicle to avoid a right-turning vehicle, but she said it is not required.

•Cars and left turns: Cyclists have two options: Act like a car, get into the left-hand turn lane and proceed when the way is clear. Or cyclists can travel through the intersection, wait for the light to change and cross.

•That one-metre rule: Vehicles are required to give bikes a one-metre berth where practicable.