TORONTO -- The office of Ontario's chief coroner is urging the province to make bicycle helmets mandatory for all cyclists and implement other measures to cut down on "preventable" cycling fatalities.

The coroner's report, released Monday, examined 129 cycling fatalities in the province between January 2006 and December 2010 and only 27 per cent - or 35 out of 129 - of those killed were wearing helmets.

Two-thirds of the cyclist deaths examined in the report took place in urban centres.

"Our data support the conclusion that each and every one of these tragic deaths was preventable," said Dr. Dan Cass, deputy chief coroner.

"Almost one third of those cyclists killed died while they were engaged in commuting activities, which underscores the importance of improving cycling safety if we as a society wish to support active transportation for our day-to-day activities," Cass added.

The review found that 86 per cent of the cyclists killed were men. The peak age for cycling deaths was 45 to 54.

Currently, only cyclists under the age of 18 legally have to wear a helmet in Ontario.

The coroner's report recommends making helmets mandatory for cyclists of all ages, as well as implementing a one-metre rule for drivers passing cyclists and making side guards mandatory for heavy trucks.

It also suggests incorporating cycling and road safety into the public school system, expanding information about sharing the road in driver's handbooks and examinations and requiring that safety information is provided with bike purchases.

A "complete streets" approach should be used when developing new communities and re-developing old ones, the report says, including the creation of bike paths and separated bike lanes.

A public awareness campaign and the implementation of a provincial cycling plan are also suggested.

Ontario's transportation minister said he endorses in principle the recommendations but stopped short of promising to implement them.

In a statement, Bob Chiarelli said "we will assess those recommendations in a timely manner while also considering timelines and budgets," Chiarelli said.

Specifically on helmets, Chiarelli agreed they are effective in reducing injury and fatalities and said the province will continue efforts to raise awareness to promote helmet use in Ontario by cyclists of all ages.

"We will be taking a look at this issue," he said, "including consultations with the cycling community, stakeholders and enforcement."

Dr. Andrew McCallum, chief coroner for Ontario, says he's happy that the report has found most cycling deaths to be preventable.

"Awareness and respect for the rules of the road by all road users are integral to preventing these deaths," said McCallum.

Eleanor McMahon, a spokeswoman for Share the Road, said she embraces these recommendations. McMahon's husband Greg Stobbard, an Ontario Provincial Police officer, died six years ago at 44 when he was hit by a truck while riding his bicycle.

"My last words to him were about the ride ahead, part of his training for the upcoming triathlon season," said McMahon.

"We spoke about what a beautiful day it was and how much he was looking forward to his ride. Sadly, that was our last conversation. He was hit by a truck driver just before noon and died later that evening as I held his hand in hospital and watched his life slip away."