WELLINGTON COUNTY – With winter conditions intensifying, Wellington County OPP officials are strongly advising against cycling on roadways.
Police say icy surfaces, reduced visibility and unpredictable traffic patterns significantly increase the risk of serious collisions.
“If you do have to head out onto the roadways this winter, stay visible by wearing reflective clothing and outfit your bike with studded winter tires, so you can better take on the snow, slush and ice,” police stated in a Dec. 11 press release issued in response to the deaths of two cyclists earlier that week.
“Also, you must equip your bicycle with lights and reflectors if you are riding at night, in limited daylight and low-visibility weather.”
Police noted bicycles are considered vehicles under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, which means “cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities to obey all traffic laws as motorists.”
Equipment required by law includes:
– lights and reflectors: a while light mounted on the front of the bike and a red light or reflector mounted on the back, if you ride between 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunrise;
– white reflective tape on the front forks, red reflective tape on the rear forks;
– a bell or horn; and
– helmets are required for cyclists under the age of 18 and are strongly recommended for those over 18.
OPP officials encourage all cyclists to:
– look ahead at the forecast and if a winter storm is on the way, stay home;
– always ride sober;
– ride without distractions (don’t text, talk on the phone or use headphones while cycling); and
– obey road signs and signal all turns.
Partner violence leads to 11 charges
HARRISTON – A local resident is facing 11 charges following a domestic dispute here recently.
Wellington County OPP officials say officers responded to a disturbance in Harriston on Nov. 29 at about 3am.
Police say a 42-year-old from Harriston, who fled the scene prior to police arrival, was charged with theft (under $5,000), break and enter, mischief (domestic), failure to comply with an undertaking and two counts of uttering threats (to cause death or bodily harm).
On Dec. 10 at about 1pm the OPP located and arrested the suspect. The accused was further charged with failing to comply with a prohibition order, failing to comply with an undertaking and three counts of possession of a weapon.
The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing on Dec. 11.
Partner violence
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police continue to lay intimate partner violence charges across the county.
Those arrested include a 24-year-old from Puslinch, who was charged with spousal assault and mischief (under $5,000) in relation to an incident in Puslinch on Dec. 8. The accused is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.
Crime of the Week
GUELPH – At about 9pm on Dec. 7, an assault took place in the area of Westwood Road and Imperial Road North in Guelph.
The victim, a 69-year-old man, was walking his dog and noticed another man across the street walking their dog. The two men got into a brief verbal exchange after the other man accused the victim of looking at him. The victim continued walking, but was then approached from behind and thrown to the ground, resulting in injuries to the victim’s head and face.
The suspect is described as a Black man in his mid-20s, about 5’11” tall, and wearing a bright orange jacket and black toque. The dog he was walking is described as a light brown or tan-coloured boxer-style dog with a curly tail.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at csgw.tips.
