Press Release -Wellington County OPP, Dec. 11, 2025.
WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Wellington County OPP is urging all road users to make safety a priority following a concerning series of motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) involving cyclists.
On December 7 and December 9, 2025, the Wellington County OPP responded to two separate motor vehicle collisions involving cyclists, both resulting in fatalities of the cyclists.
With winter conditions intensifying, the Wellington OPP strongly advises against cycling on roadways, emphasizing that icy surfaces, reduced visibility, and unpredictable traffic patterns significantly increase the risk of serious collisions.
If you do have to head out onto the roadways this winter, stay visible by wearing reflective clothing and outfit your bike with studded winter tires, so you can better take on the snow, slush and ice. Also, you must equip your bicycle with lights and reflectors if you are riding at night, in limited daylight and low-visibility weather.
Cycling and the Law
Bicycles are vehicles under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA). This means that cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities to obey all traffic laws as motorists.
Equipment Required by Law
- Lights and reflectors: a while light mounted on the front of your bike and a red light or reflector mounted on the back, if you ride between 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sunrise.
- White reflective tape on the front forks, red reflective tape on the rear forks.
- A bell or horn.
- Helmets are required for cyclists under the age of 18 and are strongly recommended for those over the age of 18.
The Wellington OPP encourages all cyclists to:
- Look ahead at the forecast – if a winter storm is on the way, it’s safest to stay home.
- Always ride sober.
- Ride without distractions – don’t text, talk on the phone or use headphones while cycling.
- Obey road signs and signal all turns.
For more information on the rules of use for bicycles, please visit: Cycling skills: Ontario’s guide to safe cycling | ontario.ca
Stay alert, stay visible, stay safe.
