The LaSalle Police Service regularly promotes bicycle safety through such initiatives as the annual LaSalle Police Service Bicycle Rodeo, the LaSalle Police Service Summer Safe Riding Program as well as incidental interaction with the community in an effort to teach children and parents safe riding practices.

LaSalle Police Service Bicycle Rodeo is generally held annually in May and teaches children the basic rules of the road, how to watch out for traffic, safe bicycle handling and agility skills. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 we will, once again, be unable to hold our annual LaSalle Police Service Bicycle Rodeo in 2021.

The LaSalle Police Service Summer Safe Riding Program is one where officers encourage youth to wear their bicycle helmets and follow safe cycling through “positive ticketing”. This “positive ticketing” takes place when a LaSalle Police Officer observes a youth riding their bike in a safe manner and are wearing a properly fitting bicycle helmet. The officer will stop the youth and present them with a coupon for a free treat at McDonald’s as well as a free entry ballot for a raffle to win a bicycle at the end of the summer.

Please check yours and your children’s bike to make sure they have the proper equipment to be operated as per the

Highway Traffic Act. See the following:
Cyclists MUST obey all the rules of the road such as stopping at stop signs and crosswalks, signaling and more. Here are some specific legal requirements for bicycles and cyclists:

HTA 62(17) – Lights – a bike must have a white front light and a red rear light or reflector if you ride between 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sunrise and white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on the rear forks.
HTA 64(3) – Brakes – a bike must have at least one brake system on the rear wheel. When you put on the brakes, you should be able to skid on dry, level pavement.
HTA 75 (5) – Bell – a bike must have a bell or horn in good working order.
HTA 104 – Helmets – every cyclist under the age of eighteen must wear an approved bicycle helmet. Parents or guardians shall not knowingly permit cyclists under sixteen to ride without a helmet.
HTA 178(2) – Passengers – Passengers are not allowed on a bicycle designed for one person. What Sections of the Law Apply to Cyclists?
HTA 179 – Dismounted bicyclist – Cyclists are required to ride on the right-hand side of the road. If you are walking your bike on a highway where there are no sidewalks, you are considered a pedestrian and you should walk on the left-hand side of the road facing traffic. If it is not safe for you to cross the road to face traffic, you may walk your bike on the right-hand side of the road.
HTA 218 – Identification – Cyclists must stop and identify themselves when required to stop by police for breaking traffic laws. The police officer will ask you for your correct name and address.
Please know that our goal as a police service and as a community partner is not to punish, but to prevent injuries before they occur through education first and enforcement where necessary.

Additional Resources for information and injury prevention:

Parachute Canada – Helmets
Parachute Canada – Cycling
Parachute Canada – Injury Prevention General