New cycling rules, safety tips highlighted

Ottawa police Const. Chuck Benoit is also a cycling instructor and he sat down with Adrian Harewood on Our Ottawa this week to review some of the new road rules implemented this month along with general safety tips.

The"one-metre rule," for example, came into effect across Ontario on Sept. 1, requiring a minimum buffer zone between motorists and cyclists whenever possible.

Motorists now face a fine of$110and two demerit points for failing to do so.

"We're not out there to measure how far you're going to be. It's a visual thing," Benoitsaid. "If you're passing too close, you get into an accident."

Motorists also face a minimumfine of$365and three demerit points for dooring a cyclist.

Cyclists now face a fine of $110, up from $20,for failing touse the required bicycle lights and reflectors.

Also onOur Ottawa this week

• Coin Contest:AnOttawa man is a finalist in aRoyal Canadian Mintcontest that could see his design on a new coin for Canada's150th birthday.
• Back to School:The number of international students in Ontario high schools has been increasing.
• Friendship Bench: A bright yellowbenchinstalled at Carleton University is a bereaved father's reminder to students to talk about depression.
• Deen Squad:Two young Muslims from Ottawa express their faith through hip hop music.
• CBC Rewind:We look back at 1953 for the Queen's Coronation for her 1973 visit to Canada as she becomesBritain's and Canada's longest-serving monarch.

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