Lock Up Your Bicycle

Bicycle racks are provided across the campus and have been positioned in well lit, high traffic locations for your convenience. If your bicycle is obstructing building entrances, exits or is locked to a wheelchair ramp, tree or Blue Light Emergency Phone, it will be removed and held by Queen's Parking. More information can be obtained by phoning 613-533-6979 (int# 36979).

Secure your front wheel and frame to the bike rack. You may wish to use more than one lock.. Thieves will take bicycle parts if they cannot take the whole bicycle. Take all easily removable parts and accessories with you to class or lock them somewhere in a secure place.

Buying a good caliber U-bolt lock to protect your bicycle is something which many cyclists neglect to do. Not locking your bicycle or locking it with an inferior lock is an invitation to bicycle thieves. Be sure to place your lock as high off the ground as possible. This will frustrate a thief who wishes to discretely force or smash the lock.

Record the serial number, make, model, size, colour, number of gears and the purchase price of the bicycle - you can use our Bike Information Form in pdf or in our BIke Safety Pamphlet for this (see right column). 

Bike Theft Take a photograph of your bicycle. Your insurance company would prefer that you retain the receipt for the bicycle when you purchase it. 

Also, ensure that your bicycle is covered by your insurance company or your parent's company. Most policies will only pay to a maximum value of $500.00 (check with your insurance carrier). You must get a separate rider on the policy, to cover the total cost of replacement.

You should complete a bicycle information form to record details about your bike. In the event it is stolen, you can provide a copy of the form to Campus Security and City Police.

  • You can pick up a Bicycle Safety Pamphlet with the Bike Information Form from our offices between 8am - 4 pm weekdays
  • The Bike Information Form is also available online as a pdf file that you can print, fill out, and keep for your records. Click here for the pdf file.
  • Alternatively, download and print off this pdf file containing Bicycle Theft Prevention Tips along with its own Bicycle Information form and Process for Reporting Theft to Police [produced by KPD]

We strongly discourage you from bringing very expensive bicycles on campus because these bicycles AND their components are most frequently targeted by thieves. Purchase a cheaper bicycle for transportation to and from classes if you can afford to do so.

Also consider subscribing to the Queen's Bicycle Users Group
A group of people with an interest in cycling and making Queen's University more cycle friendly.
http://post.queensu.ca/~rt8/qbug.html

Bicycles are defined as vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act

Cyclists must abide by the same rules and regulations as motorists and are subject to the same fines under the law as motor vehicle drivers.

There will always be a few cyclists who feel that they are exempt from abiding by the rules of the road giving the majority of cyclists a bad reputation. However, increased safe cycling will lead to increased respect from drivers which will mean greater safety for both motorists and cyclists.

The following is a short list of some of the rules by which all cyclists must abide. The number in parentheses indicates the applicable section of the Act. As this is a guide only, we urge all cyclists and motorists to consult the Highway Traffic Act and the City of Kingston By-laws for the legal definitions.

Under City of Kingston By-law:

  • No bicycle can be used on a city street without first having obtained a bicycle license.
    (By-law 9, Fine = $20.75)
  • No one is to propel a bicycle on a public sidewalk. (By-law 10, Fine = $115.00)
  • No in-line skating on all city sidewalks and the following streets: Bath Rd., Brock St., Concession St., Counter St., Division St., Johnson St., King St., Leroy Grant Dr., Montreal St., Ontario St. (between Johnson and Causeway), Place D'Armes and Princess St. (between Division and Ontario). 
    (By-law 67(a), Fine = $115.00)

Under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), cyclists must:

  • Stop at all stop signs. (HTA 136, Fine = $105.00 )
  • Stop at all red traffic lights. (HTA 144, Fine = $185.00)
  • Not Drive Carelessly. (HTA 130, Fine = $315.00)
  • Cycle in the proper direction on roads which includes one way streets.. 
    (HTA 153, Fine =$105.00)
  • Keep to the right of the farthest right lane (except when turning left). This means cycling about one metre from the curb, away from roadway hazards. However, you may occupy any part of a lane when safety requires it.
    (HTA 147, Fine = $105.00)
  • Signal to indicate lane changes or turns. 
    (HTA 142, Fine = $105.00)
  • Ensure their bicycle is equipped with a white front light and a red rear light or reflector if you ride between sunset and sunrise. ).
    It is recommended to use flashing rear lights rather than simple rear reflectors.
    (HTA 62, Fine = $30.00)
  • Ensure their bicycle is equipped with at least one brake system on the rear wheel. (HTA 64, Fine = $105.00)
  • Ensure that a bell or horn is affixed to the bicycle. (HTA 75, Fine = $105.00
  • Identify themselves to police when stopped for violations of the Highway Traffic Act. Police Officers can arrest an individual who refuses to identify themselves. 
    (HTA 218, Fine = $105.00)

Page last update: 12 July 2006