OTTAWA, ON – The province is rolling out its cycling strategy.

The announcement was made in the capital on Friday by Minister Bob Chiarelli along with MPP Yasir Naqvi, Councillor Marianne Wilkinson and Eleanor McMahon, Founder and CEO of Share the Road Cycling Coalition.

The strategy aims at improving cycling safety and education.

Minister Chiarelli said Ontario has the safest roads in North America – but, there are cycling fatalities.

The strategy includes adding cycling safety to the Driver’s Handbook and including it in the test.

“They need to know where cyclists have a right to go on the road,” said Chiarelli. “They’re not only restricted to driving along the curb – they have access to the road under certain circumstances.”

There are several campaigns underway to educate those who already have a driver’s license.

The province is also planning on improving infrastructure.

“We have an infrastructure program that we’ve opened up to municipalities to that cycling infrastructure is eligible for – it was not eligible before,” said Chiarelli.

The public has until January 23, 2013 to provide feedback on the draft.