New bicycle rules 2011

Share the road

New rules under Nova Scotia’s Motor Vehicle Act require drivers to give cyclists more room, and to stay out of bike lanes. The new rules apply as of June 1 2011. Here is what you need to know!

When passing a cyclist you must:

• make sure there is enough space to safely pass, and
• leave one metre of space between your vehicle and the cyclist.

You are allowed to safely cross the centre line of the road in order to pass a cyclist.

You are not allowed to drive in a bike lane. There are some exceptions. For example, you may go into a bike lane if you need to:

• go around a left-turning vehicle or cyclist, or
• avoid hitting something on the road such as a pedestrian, animal, or other vehicle.

You must always yield right of way to any cyclist in the bike lane, and you are not allowed to park in a bike lane.

When riding your bike, you should:

• ride in the bike lane if there is one, or on the right side or shoulder of the road
• go with the flow of traffic, and
• ride in single file unless you are passing another cyclist. 

The fine for not giving a cyclist one-metre of space is $282.71 for a first offence, while the fine for driving in a bicycle lane when you shouldn’t is $685.21 for a first offence.  Click here to read the wording of the new law, and visit Nova Scotia's Department of Transportation website for more information.