Manitoba Public Insurance is encouraging all road users to help keep cyclists safe on our roadways. In 2024, MPI received reports of 420 collisions involving cyclists throughout Manitoba, resulting in three fatalities and 236 injuries. All of these incidents are preventable.

While there are many causes of motor vehicle-bicycle collisions, claim reports suggest that fault is often shared between drivers and cyclists, which shows keeping cyclists safe on the road is a shared responsibility.

“Education is key to keeping vulnerable road users safe,” said Maria Campos, Vice President & Chief Customer and Product Officer at MPI. “We remain committed to continuing to invest in educating road users about safe ways to share the road because we know that in the event of a collision, a cyclist is much more likely to experience a serious injury or death as they don’t have the structural protection of a vehicle.”

MPI offers many cycling safety programs to help educate riders of all ages on how to stay safe on the roads. Cycle Safely Bike Rodeos are offered in partnership with schools around the province to teach young children about bicycle safety. The rodeos also include a riding course to practice the lessons learned. In addition, MPI Community Relations experts provide general presentations geared towards all age groups and coordinate cycling safety courses, like Cycling Champions, delivered by experienced, local cycling instructors for amateurs to experienced riders looking to become leaders in cycling safety in the community.

As a partner in road safety, MPI also sponsors Bicycle Education & Skills Training in Schools (BEST), which is a partnership with MPI, Bike Winnipeg Green Action Centre, and Seven Oaks School Division to develop safe cycling curriculum for Grade 4-8 students.

Common safety tips for all cyclists to keep in mind when riding on roadways include:

  • Always wear a helmet
  • Obey traffic control signals and signs
  • Use hand signals and eye contact to communicate
  • Ride in a straight line, don’t weave between vehicles
  • Ride single file when riding with other cyclists
  • Don’t carry anything that is large enough to affect your ability to maintain safe control and balance of the bicycle
  • Watch for debris and road hazards that may impede your travel or the travel of a vehicle

For motorists, some safety tips are:

  • The safe distance between a vehicle and a cyclist increases as speed increases, so the faster you go, the more distance you need to provide between your vehicle and a cyclist
  • Reduce your speed and leave a safe following distance
  • Change lanes, if possible, to give cyclists plenty of room
  • If it is not possible to change lanes, pass at a safe distance (more than one metre for speed zones over 50 kilometres per hour)
  • Avoid using your horn
  • Watch for cyclist hand signals indicating change in direction of travel
  • Watch for debris that has collected near the curb that a cyclist may need to avoid, requiring more room

Road safety truly is everyone’s responsibility. If we share that responsibility, everyone will get home safely.