Keeping your helmet on as you ride into spring: BC RCMP

With nice weather just around the corner, that means it's time to bust out the bikes from the backyard shed.

But before hitting the streets this Spring, the BC RCMP is hoping they can give cyclists a quick refresher on the rules of the road.

Officers are reminding citizens going out for a bike ride that wearing an approved helmet is mandatory and could cost you a fine upwards of $30 if caught without one.

There's no question that helmets save lives, they can help reduce the risk of serious injury by 60%, reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury by 53%, reduce the risk of fatality by 34%, and reduce the risk of facial injury by 23%.

To ensure you’re wearing a helmet properly, it shouldn’t slide from side-to-side or front-to-back, it should sit right at the top of your head with the chinstrap properly locked into place to keep it from rocking.

The BC Motor Vehicle Act and Regulations state operators of bicycles have the same rights and duties as a driver of any other motor vehicle.

So on top of helmet fines, failing to stop at stop signs, failing to yield to pedestrians and disobeying traffic control devices are also all ticketable offences as a cyclist.

Riding at night without proper lights or reflectors could also set you back $109.

Patrol and traffic officers will be out in force day and night this summer, looking to enforce bicycle helmet laws, ensure cyclists are visible, following the rules, and staying safe.

Learn more about the rules of the road as a BC cyclist here.