Yes No Share to Facebook
Towing a Person On a Bicycle, Skateboard, Toboggan, Among Other Things, Is Unlawful
What Does the Law Say About Using a Car to Tow a Bicyclist?
It Is Dangerous and Unlawful to Use a Motor Vehicle to Tow a Person On a Bicycle, Skateboard, Roller Skates, Among Other Things and Penalties For Doing So Include a Possible $1,000 Fine Plus Victim Surcharge and Court Cost In Addition to Two Demerit Points As Well As Possible Increase to Insurance Rates.
Understanding the Penalties For Towing a Person On a Bicycle, Skateboard, Among Other Things
While appearing as a fun and exciting activity, or even just as a playful travel convenience, towing a person who is riding a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or other similar thing, with a motor vehicle creates serious risk for the person being towed, and perhaps other persons. Accordingly, using a motor vehicle to tow people on a highway, which includes various types of roadways, is unlawful and may result in significant penalties.
The Law
The law that forbids a driver from towing a person on a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, or other things, is prescribed by section 160 of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8. For those found guilty of violating section 160, the details for the penalty upon conviction are prescribed by section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act whereas section 160 is actually silent, meaning absent, about the penalty details. Within section 160 and section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act it is specifically stated:
Towing of persons on bicycles, toboggans, etc., prohibited
160 No driver of a vehicle or street car shall permit any person riding, riding on or operating a bicycle, coaster, toboggan, sled, skateboard, toy vehicle or any other type of conveyance or wearing roller skates, in-line skates or skis to attach the same, himself or herself to the vehicle or street car on a highway.
General penalty
214 (1) Every person who contravenes this Act or any regulation is guilty of an offence and on conviction, where a penalty for the contravention is not otherwise provided for herein, is liable to a fine of not less than $60 and not more than $1,000.
Accordingly, per the general penalty stated within section 214(1) as is shown above, the fine for towing a person on a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, among other things, is in a range from sixty ($60) dollars to one thousand ($1,000) dollars. Additional penalties will include the statutory victim surcharge plus court cost. Furthermore, a conviction may also have serious consequences to insurance rates.
Summary Comment
Towing a person riding a bicycle, skateboard, or upon roller skates, among other things, poses a risk of serious injury or death to the person if an accident occurs; and accordingly, doing so is unlawful and subject to a potential fine of one thousand ($1,000) dollars plus victim surcharge, court cost, and insurance rate consequences.
NOTE: A considerable amount of online searches, such as “lawyers near me” or “best lawyer in,” typically indicate a desire for prompt and competent legal assistance rather than a precise professional designation. In Ontario, licensed paralegals are governed by the same Law Society that supervises lawyers and have the authority to represent clients in specific litigation contexts. Key aspects of this role include advocacy, legal analysis, and procedural expertise. DefendCharges.ca provides legal representation within its licensed remit, focusing on strategic positioning, evidence preparation, and compelling advocacy aimed at securing effective and favourable outcomes for clients.
