Cycling in Waterloo Region

[danbrotherston]

I'm not sure what exactly you're referring to here, but you are 100% incorrect on this.  Cyclists are permitted to take the lane as necessary.

First, the turnout law doesn't apply to the circumstances I'm discussing.  You probably mean to link to the "slow moving vehicles (including bicycles) must keep right as practicable".

The link (which works, though the file is large, so perhaps your browser can't cope) is to §148(6):

(6) Every person on a bicycle or motor assisted bicycle who is overtaken by a vehicle or equestrian travelling at a greater speed shall turn out to the right and allow the vehicle or equestrian to pass and the vehicle or equestrian overtaking shall turn out to the left so far as may be necessary to avoid a collision.  R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 148 (6).

I don't see anything in the Highway Traffic Act that says that's optional; please point out the section that makes it “100% incorrect”.

I am aware what section you linked too. That section doesn't apply to our discussion. A "turnout" is a specific piece of roadway giving a place for traffic to pull into to allow vehicles behind to overtake. It doesn't apply to driving down a straight urban roadway.

This in no way precludes taking the lane on an urban road, it simply means, if there is a turnout, you must use it. There aren't turnouts on city streets.

I don't think the MTO's book can be any clearer. "In urban areas where a curb lane is too narrow to share safely with a motorist, it is legal to take the whole lane by riding in the centre of it." This is a government document giving instructions for cycling in the city. It *is* the rules. It cannot be clearer. Taking the lane is legal.