One Metre Cycling Safety Campaign

Give me one metre. It's the law.

Changing attitudes

Throughout June, Ontario Bike Month, York Regional Police officers will be conducting increased enforcement on both cyclists and motorists, with the help of drones, to identify dangerous behaviours on the road and educate drivers that cyclists in Ontario must be given at least one metre of space when passing.

Every summer as cycling continues to increase in popularity, thousands of recreational and commuting cyclists take to the roads in York Region to make use of more than 4,000 kilometres of paved roads and more than 1,000 kilometres of cycling routes.

However, cyclists are often put in peril by motorists who pass unlawfully, drive dangerously around cyclists or ‘roll coal’, using a vehicle’s exhaust to irritate riders.

The goal of the One Metre campaign is to change attitudes of both drivers and cyclists and improve the relationship between these groups. Improving driving and cycling behaviours, while increasing knowledge and understanding of the laws, will lead to safe streets and safe people, two of the York Regional Police Road Safety Strategy goals.

Report close calls to Road Watch

In 2025, York Regional Police is urging cyclists to report close calls to Road Watch.

If you ride a bike on the road often, close calls may be all too familiar.

Don't brush it off. Report a close call or any sort of dangerous driving and provide any supporting evidence, including video.

Remember to take note of details about a vehicle, including the make, model and license plate number.

By the numbers

Since 2019:

• York Region has seen six cyclist fatalities
• There have been 1,215 reported incidents in which cyclists were injured in collisions with motor vehicles in York Region.

In 2024:

• 258 incidents were reported in which a cyclist was injured in a multi vehicle collision, an 8 percent decrease from 2023.
  • 44 percent of those incidents occurred between 3 and 7 p.m.

See our campaign and share it: #ItsTheLaw

During the summer months, look out for York Region Transit buses that feature messaging supported by CAA and York Region, reminding motorists to give cyclists one metre of space when passing them on the road.

On June 1 and beyond, residents may also notice cyclists around the community wearing custom jerseys featuring the campaign call-out: Give Me One Metre, It's the Law.