Halton Hills Bike It Committee
The Halton Hills Bike It Committee is a group of volunteers who have a passion for promoting cycling and cycling safety. The group works in partnership with the Town of Halton Hills with the goal of achieving Silver designation in the Bicycle Friendly Community Program which is administered by the Share the Road Coalition. Halton Hills received its Bronze designation in 2014.
The committee organizes a series of cycling initiatives each year that are designed to encourage more cycling by our residents. There is a need for volunteers at all of our events and the committee is always interested in welcoming new members - see contact info below.
Bike It Halton Hills calendar of events
April 25 - Used bike buy and sell (CANCELLED) |
Do you have bicycles in your garage that are too small or no longer used and you would like to find a good home for them? Do you have a great bike but want to move up? Or are you looking for a good deal on a used bike? This event is all about putting buyers and sellers in the same place at the same time. Tricycles and other cycling equipment are also welcome. The intent of this event is to recycle bicycles, put bikes in the hands of those who need an inexpensive way to get a bike and to help you clear out your garage in an environmentally friendly way. Drop offs welcome from 8 a.m. when the gates open for the Earth Day Event. There is no fee to participate in this bike recycling opportunity. Spokes N Slopes Georgetown will have staff on hand to assist with minor repairs. To let us know you will be joining, please send an email to the bike it committee. Option 1- Sell your own bikeThose bringing bikes for private sale set their own price, must stay with their bikes and complete the transaction privately with the buyer. In the event you are not successful in finding a buyer, you may either take the bike home or donate it to the Bike it Committee. Option 2 - Bike It Committee donated saleYou may also choose to drop off your bikes with the Bike It Committee. We will price and sell these bikes with proceeds donated to local foodbanks. |
May 25 - Noon hour group ride and picnic(CANCELLED) |
The Halton Hills Bike It Committee, and the Transportation staff are hosting their seventh annual Noon Hour Bike Ride event in recognition of the globally celebrated Bike to Work Day. Join Town staff, residents, local commuters and cycle enthusiasts for a leisurely noon hour bike ride. Cyclists of all levels of experience will ride together through scenic trails and quiet residential streets. Bring your own picnic lunch and enjoy it when we stop for a lunch break part way through the ride at the Georgetown Fairgrounds. To let us know you will be joining, please send an email to the bike it committee. Remember to ride safe and wear a helmet. |
June 2 - Dust off your bike ride in Georgetown(CANCELLED) |
This ride is aimed at people who haven’t been on a bike for a while and need a nudge to get back on the saddle again. This will be fun and casual. We will start with a talk about safety equipment and bike maintenance. We will have a quick look at your bike and will have tools on hand to tighten the odd fitting and pump the tires. However, this is not a bike maintenance course but is a reminder of the proper maintenance you should give your bike. Then we will talk about safety tips, rules of the road and how we are going to safely ride the route. When we are all ready to go we will set off at a leisurely pace. This group ride will be led by our experienced volunteers. To let us know you will be joining, please send an email to the bike it committee. See you there. Remember to ride safe and wear a helmet. |
June 2 - Ride the loop(CANCELLED) |
Ride the loop is a new group cycling event intended for the intermediate and above cyclist. Although this ride takes advantage of multi-use paths and on-road bike lanes it also is on roads where there is no cycling infrastructure. Cyclists should be able to ride this route in 1 hour and 10 minutes or less. To let us know you will be joining, please send an email to the bike it committee. See you there. Remember to ride safe and wear a helmet. |
June 20 - Bike it to the market(CANCELLED) |
An annual favourite for almost a decade, riders will once again be treated to a free pancake breakfast hosted by the Georgetown Rotary Club. (Donations towards Rotary projects are always welcome). This is a free event with riders of all ages, from all parts of the town, making their way to the Georgetown Farmers Market by whatever route they choose. To ensure safety and enjoyment for all ages, Main Street from the Farmer’s Market to Maple Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic. Free valet bike parking, will be available in the Main Street Parking Lot. The breakfast is free to all who arrive by bicycle but can be purchased by non-cyclists. The closure of Main Street has provided the opportunity to add more free fun activities for all ages courtesy of the Halton Hills Active Easy Alliance. Activities may include a children’s cycling skills course, plus hula hooping, skipping, Zumba and ball hockey. Many volunteers are required for this event including bike parking attendants, ticket takers, children’s activity supervisors, greeters, and road closure attendants. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information please send an email to the bike it committee or contact Councillor Jane Fogal. Volunteer shifts are typically 2 hours in duration. We have many jobs suitable for students (counting towards mandatory 40 hours).
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August 6 - Dust off your bike ride in Acton |
This ride is aimed at people who haven’t been on a bike for a while and need a nudge to get back on the saddle again. This will be fun and casual. We will start with a talk about safety equipment and bike maintenance. We will have a quick look at your bike and will have tools on hand to tighten the odd fitting and pump the tires. However, this is not a bike maintenance course but is a reminder of the proper maintenance you should give your bike. Then we will talk about safety tips, rules of the road and how we are going to safely ride the route. When we are all ready to go we will set off at a leisurely pace. This group ride will be led by our experienced volunteers. To let us know you will be joining, please send an email to the bike it committee. See you there. Remember to ride safe and wear a helmet. |
August 9 - Bike it to Leathertown Festival |
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Enjoy the sights, sounds and flavours of the Acton Leathertown Festival by bike! Several route options are suitable for intermediate to advanced riders. Ride or bring your bike to the Acton Go Station parking lot where you will find our free valet bike parking. Group rides are planned to finish approximately when the Festival gets fully underway. After your ride, leave your bike in our secure valet bike parking area and enjoy the food, the bands, the vintage cars and vendors. For more information on the festival please check out leathertownfestival.com. Please register your intention to join us by sending an email to the bike it committee. Kindly remember these are group rides, not a race. Leathertown rural loop – 23km (1.5 hours)
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The greenbelt loop |
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The Greenbelt Route is a 475 kilometre on-road signed cycling route that travels from Niagara Falls in the south west to Northumberland in the east. This amazing route travels through Halton Hills and follows rural roads through the scenic villages of Limehouse, Glen Williams and Terra Cotta. For more information on the main route or the loop routes please check out www.greenbelt.ca/route-loops |
Halton Hills Cycling Master Plan
In December 2010 Halton Hills approved its first Cycling Master Plan. This is a comprehensive plan that not only provides the basis for cycling infrastructure improvements on our roads, but also includes advocacy, policy development and education goals. Creating a cycling advisory committee was a direct result of Council's adoption of this plan.
Infrastructure improvements
Since adoption of the Cycling Master Plan the following cycling infrastructure improvements have been made:
- Bike lane on Delrex Blvd
- Bike Lane on Danby Road
- Multi Use Path on Wallace Street
- Bike Lane on 17th Sideroad
- Edge Line on Trafalgar Road
- Bike Lane on Queen Street Acton
- Bike lockers at the Civic Centre
- Covered bike racks at the GO station
- Bike lanes added to Miller Drive
- Bike lanes added to 17th Side Road from 6th line to 4th line
- Micro paving on sections of 5th Side Road with widening where possible
- Surface treatment of 27th Side Road between 8th and 9th line
- Bike lanes on Danby extended to Main Street
- Bike lanes on Churchill Road, Acton
- Multi Use Path extended on 10th Side Road
- Wayfinding Signage for Halton Hills portion of the Greenbelt Cycling Route
- Multi Use Path underpass opened at Danby Road
- Many trail upgrades from woodchips or screenings to board walks making them available year round
- Installation of an outdoor bicycle repair station at the Georgetown Branch Library
Infrastructure improvements in 2018
- Bike lanes on Barber Drive West south of Argyle Rd.
- Multi-Use Path on Sinclair from Armstrong Ave to Guelph Street
- Sharrow pavement markings on Main Street South in Downtown Georgetown
- Installation of a bike corral in Downtown Georgetown as a pilot project
Infrastructure improvements in 2019
- Multi-Use Path on Armstrong Ave from Sinclair Ave. to Guelph Street ($2.75million)
- Repaving and marking Barber Drive west bike lanes
- Sharrows installed on Edward Street
Cycling initiatives in 2020
- Active Transportation Master Plan completion
- 22nd Side Road between Limehouse and Trafalgar Road upgraded with wide shoulders and edge line
- Bike Lanes added to Barber Drive East from Mountainview Road to 10th Side Road
- Plan for adding cycling infrastructure to Maple Avenue
- Multi-Use Path on Armstrong Avenue from Sinclair Avenue to Guelph Street
Other cycling initiatives
Roads are for everyone - social marketing campaign
The one metre law
Did you know that Ontario has updated the Highway Traffic Act and it is now the law that drivers must give cyclists at least 1 metre when passing? Likewise cyclists have a responsibility to steer a predictable path and not weave in and out of parked cars. We have many more adults and children riding bikes and we want them all to arrive home safely.
Frequently asked questions:
- What is the penalty to drivers for not leaving a minimum of one-metre distance when passing a cyclist?
The penalty for not leaving a minimum one-metre passing distance is a set fine of $85 plus a $5 court fee plus a $20 victim surcharge fine for a total payable of $110.
Drivers who contest their ticket by going to court may face a fine of up to $500 if found guilty (fine range is $60 to $500). Upon conviction, two demerit points will also be assigned against the individual's driver record. - Will cyclists also be required to leave a minimum one-metre distance when passing a vehicle?
Cyclists are not required to leave a specific one-metre space; however, they are required to obey all the rules of the road. Cyclists who are being overtaken should turn out to the right to allow the vehicle to pass. - What if there isn't enough room to allow for a one-metre passing distance? Can a vehicle cross the centre median line to pass the cyclist?
A motorist may, if done safely, and in compliance with the rules of the road, cross the centre line of a roadway in order to pass a cyclist. If this cannot be done, he or she must wait behind the cyclist until it is safe to pass.
Dooring
The new penalties for improper opening of a vehicle door (for driver or passenger) are a set fine of $300 upon conviction and 3 demerit points. The total payable fine is $365 ($set fine plus $60 victim fine surcharge and $5 court costs).
The current HTA set fine for “dooring” offence is $85 upon conviction and the total payable fine is $110 ($set fine plus $20 victim fine surcharge and $5 court fees). Additionally a conviction results in 2 demerit points being added to the individual's driver record.
Although cyclists may be the most commonly perceived road user affected by this behaviour, the “dooring” law applies to all road users and is not specific to cyclists. The government is committed to helping ensure the safety of not only cyclists but all road users.
Increasing the fine for cyclists for non-compliance with light, reflector and reflective material requirements
Currently, the fine for non-compliance with bicycle light, reflector and reflective requirements, carries a maximum fine of $20 which is less than the majority of set fines for motorists and cyclists. Increasing this fine will put this violation in line with all other cycling violations.
Allowing cyclists to use intermittent flashing red lights
Red flashing lights were previously not allowed under the Highway Traffic Act even though the majority of cyclists were already using rear lamps that produce intermittent flashes of red light to make themselves more visible to others.
Considering the safety benefits from the use of these lights, and to prevent cyclists from potentially being charged, the Highway Traffic Act was amended to allow bicycles to use lamps that produce intermittent flashes of red lights.
A motorist may, if done safely, and in compliance with the rules of the road, cross the centre line of a roadway in order to pass a cyclist. If this cannot be done, he or she must wait behind the cyclist until it is safe to pass.
Bicycle helmets
All bicycle riders under the age of 18 need to wear an approved bicycle helmet when travelling on any public road. The total fine for not wearing a helmet is $75.
When buying a helmet, look for one that fits comfortably and meets safety standards. Check the inside of the helmet for stickers from one or more of the following organizations:
- Snell Memorial Foundation: Snell B90, Snell B95, Snell B90S, or Snell N94
- American National Standard Institute: ANSI Z90.4-1984
- American Society For Testing and Materials: ASTMF1447-94
- British Standards Institute: BS6863:1989
- Standards Association of Australia: AS2063.2-1990
- United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 16 CFR Part 1203
Driver's guide to sharing the road with cyclists
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation provides a guide for drivers sharing the road with cyclists including diagrams to illustrate different scenarios. It is good advice for everyone. Take a look at the Ministry's website.