Get caught running a red on your bicycle and you risk demerit points on your driver’s licence,

Yup, you read that right — it’s not supposed to happen but it does. Demerit points have been registered against law-breaking cyclists in Toronto, which can then affect driving status and insurance costs.

It appears there’s a lot we don’t know about the rules of the road for cyclists. Information is peddled everywhere when it comes to wearing a helmet, what to wear, where to shop, how to lock your bike, and where to ride, but few of us know that any ticket a driver can get under the Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, a cyclist can get too. Break the road rules and risk getting pulled over and fined, says Anne Marie Thomas, insurance expert with Kanetix.ca.

So think twice before barreling through a stop sign. And stay off the sidewalk. The Ministry of Transportation actually keeps track of cycling offences — even if you don’t have a driver’s licence.

Pulled over by the police — now what?

If you’re pulled over, you are obliged by law to identify yourself and cooperate. “It’s a common thought — if I’m on my bike, can’t I just tell them I’m not carrying my license? Wrong. You need to be truthful, whether you have your licence on you or not,” says Thomas. “If you don’t give your real name and address, you risk escalating things — meaning you could face an arrest, a $110 fine or both.”

Demerit point dilemma

There’s a lot of conflicting information on whether a cycling infraction impacts your driving record. For the record, if you get a ticket while riding your bike, you’re not supposed to get demerit points on your Ontario driver’s license. Make sure the ticket notes it as a cycling infraction at the time that it is written. Be sure you know what you are getting a ticket for and what is being included on that ticket, says Thomas. “Write down what happened as soon as possible after receiving your ticket – location, direction of travel, what happened, etc. Sign and date it. If there are any witnesses get their contact information, ask them to make a signed and dated statement of what they saw.”

Nothing fine about this

• Count on an $85 fine for disobeying a stop sign or failing to signal when turning.

• No proper lighting and riding without a bell can also get you an $85 ticket.

• Running a red light - a $260 ticket.

• Ride your bicycle on a sidewalk and that’ll be $60 – that’s if you live in Toronto, and you are age 14 and older.

• Carrying a passenger on a bike designed for one - $85 fine.

• Pass a stopped school bus with red lights flashing and that can cost you a whopping $400.

• Under 18 without a helmet - $60 ticket.

• Riding on the wrong side of the road – a $35 fine.

Ignore it and it won’t go away

A cycling ticket may seem inconsequential but the amount due would increase the longer the ticket goes unpaid. Plus “if a cyclist hasn’t made sure that the ticket they received states ‘cycling’ on it, then they risk having their drivers licence suspended if they don’t pay the fine,” says Thomas. Like any other outstanding payment, it’s possible that it could end up in collections and may impact your credit rating.

Smooth ride on an e-bike

You don’t need a driver’s licence, vehicle permit or licence plate to ride an e-bike, but you do need to be 16 or older, wear an approved bicycle or motorcycle helmet, and keep your e-bike in good working order. Follow the same rules of the road as regular cyclists, and penalties are the same as a non-electric bike.