Section 185 of the BC Motor Vehicle Act deals with bicycles.
Note that the very first thing it says is that bicycles have the same
legal status as drivers of vehicles! The Section proceeds as follows:
(1) Rights and duties of cycles
(2)-(4) Restrictions on cycles (includes riding on footpaths and
crosswalks, and hanging on to cars).
(5) The law as it pertains to bicycle lights and reflectors.
(6) Accident procedures.
(7)-(8) Ride with due care and attention or the police will confiscate
your CCM.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACT
R.S.B.C. 1979, CHAPTER 288
SECTION 185:
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF OPERATOR OF CYCLE
(1) In addition to the duties imposed by this section, a person operating
a cycle on a highway has the same rights and duties as a driver of a
vehicle.
(2) A person operating a cycle
(a) shall not ride on a sidewalk unless authorized by a bylaw made
under section 120 or unless otherwise directed by a sign;
(a.1.) shall not, for the purpose of crossing a highway, ride on a
crosswalk unless authorized to do so by a bylaw made under
section 120 [Municipal Powers] or unless otherwise directed
by a sign;
(b) shall, subject to paragraph (a), ride as near as practicable to
the right side of the roadway;
(c) shall not ride abreast of another person operating a cycle on the
roadway;
(d) shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars;
(e) shall not ride other than on or astride a regular seat of the
cycle;
(f) shall not use the cycle to carry more persons at one time than
the number for which it is designed and equipped; and
(g) shall not ride a cycle on a highway where signs prohibit their
use.
(3) A person operating a cycle shall not ride it on a roadway if there
is a usable path intended for the use of cycles adjacent to the
roadway.
(4) A person shall not ride a cycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or
play vehicle when it is attached by the arm and hand of the rider
or otherwise to a vehicle on a highway.
(5) A cycle operated on a highway between 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2
hour before sunrise shall have a lighted lamp mounted on the front,
capable of displaying a white light visible under normal
atmospheric conditions at least 150 m. In the direction in which
the cycle is pointed, and a red reflector of a make or design
approved by the superintendent for the purpose of this section, or
a lighted lamp, mounted on the rear and capable of reflecting or
displaying a red light toward the rear. In addition, every cycle
operated on a highway shall have the most conspicuous portion of
its rear mud guard, for the a length of not less than 22.5 cm and
the full width of the mud guard, painted white.
(6) (a) If an accident accurs by which a person or property is injured,
directly or indirectly, owing to the presence or operation of a
cycle on a highway or a sidewalk, the person in charge of
the cycle shall
(i) remain at or immediately return to the scene of the
accident;
(ii) render all possible assistance; and
(iii) give to anyone sustaining loss or injury, and to any
peace officer who is present, his name and address and
the name and address of the owner of the cycle, and if
the cycle has been licensed and registered, the licence
or registration number of the cycle.
(b) Where an accident involving the presence or operation of a
cycle on a highway or sidewalk, either directly or indirectly
causes death or injury to a person or damage to property
causing aggregate damage apparently exceeding $25, the person
in charge of the cycle shall immediately report the matter to
a police officer or a person designated by the superintendent
to receive those reports, and shall furnish information,
including that referred to in section 61(4) [Accident Reports,
below], respecting the accident as may be required by the
police officer or person designated.
(c) Every report made under this section is without prejudice and
is for the information of the Provincial or municipal police,
and shall not be open to public inspection. The fact the
report has been made is admissible in evidence solely to prove
compliance with this seciton, and the report is admissible in
evidence on the prosecution of any person for the offence of
making a false statement in it.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c), a peace officer may, where
giving evidence in a proceeding, refer to a report prepared by
him under this subsection to refresh his memory.
(7) A person shall not operate a cycle
(a) on a highway without due care and attention or without
reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway, or
(b) on a sidewalk without due care and attention or without
reasonable consideration for other persons using the sidewalk.
(8) (a) Where a person is convicted of an offence under the Act in
respect of his riding or operating a cycle, the court may, in
addition to or in lieu of any penalty otherwise prescribed,
order the cycle seized, and on the expiry of that period the
person entitled to it may again have possession of the cycle.
(b) For the purpose of seizing and impounding a cycle pursuant to
an order made under paragraph (a), a peace officer may enter by
force any place or building in which the cycle is situated.
SECTION 61:
ACCIDENT REPORTS
(4) The person receiving a report under this section shall secure from
the person making it, or by other inquiries where necessary, the
particulars of the accident, the persons involved, the extent of
the personal injury or property damage and other information
necessary to complete a written report of the personal injury or
property damage and other information necessary to complete a
written report of the accident, and shall forward the written
report to the superintendent within 10 days after being advised of
the accident.