Durham Region highlights Ontario’s one-metre passing rule for drivers near cyclists

Durham Region said June 2 that drivers in Ontario are required to leave at least one metre of space when passing a cyclist travelling in the same direction, citing the province’s Highway Traffic Act.

The Region’s notice also outlined what it says drivers and cyclists should do when sharing the road, and tied the message to its Durham Vision Zero road-safety program.

According to Durham Region, drivers may cross the centre line to provide the minimum one-metre distance when it is necessary and safe to do so, as long as they follow the rules of the road.

Durham Region also said that if it is not safe to pass, drivers should remain behind the cyclist until it can be done safely.

The Region said cyclists are not required to leave a one-metre gap when vehicles pass them, but must obey all traffic laws.

In the same announcement, Durham Region described Durham Vision Zero as a program that works with road-safety partners to reduce collisions, road fatalities and injuries, with a stated goal of zero people killed or injured on Durham roads.