One Metre Cycling Safety Campaign

Give me one metre. It's the law.

Changing attitudes

Throughout June, Ontario Bike Month, York Regional Police officers will be conducting increased enforcement on both cyclists and motorists, with the help of drones, to identify dangerous behaviours on the road and educate drivers that cyclists in Ontario must be given at least one metre of space when passing.

Every summer as cycling continues to increase in popularity, thousands of recreational and commuting cyclists take to the roads in York Region to make use of more than 4,000 kilometres of paved roads and more than 1,000 kilometres of cycling routes.

However, cyclists are often put in peril by motorists who pass unlawfully, drive dangerously around cyclists or ‘roll coal’, using a vehicle’s exhaust to irritate riders.

The goal of the One Metre campaign is to change attitudes of both drivers and cyclists and improve the relationship between these groups. Improving driving and cycling behaviours, while increasing knowledge and understanding of the laws, will lead to safe streets and safe people, two of the York Regional Police Road Safety Strategy goals.

By the numbers

Since 2019:

• York Region has seen six cyclist fatalities
• There have been 754 reported incidents in which cyclists were injured in collisions with motor vehicles.
  • 362 of these incidents occurred between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  • 436 of these incidents occurred between June and September.
  • 207 cyclists have been involved in reported collisions with motorists but suffered no injuries
• 2023 saw a 52 percent increase in the number of collisions where a cyclist was injured (198), compared to 2022 (130)
• 2024 has already seen 47 cyclists injured in collisions with motorists. A 34% YTD increase vs 2023 which only had 35 injuries at this point (May 26).

See our campaign and share it: #ItsTheLaw

During the summer months, look out for York Region Transit buses that feature messaging supported by CAA and York Region, reminding motorists to give cyclists one metre of space when passing them on the road.

On June 1 and beyond, residents may also notice cyclists around the community wearing custom jerseys featuring the campaign call-out: Give Me One Metre, It's the Law.