Crossbikes: Elephant's feet

You may have noticed a new pavement marking at some intersections in Vancouver.

Crossings where cyclists are permitted to ride are known as 'crossbikes'; the markings are used to identify them are sometimes called 'elephants' feet'. Crossbikes may or may not be exclusive to cyclists; often they are shared with pedestrians. Shared pedestrian/cyclist crossings are identified by both standard crosswalk markings and 'elephants' feet', with the crossbike markings on each side of the standard crosswalk. As always, cyclists must yield to pedestrians.

Paint markings such as pedestrian and bicycle stencils or the use of colour treatment typically accompany crossbikes to indicate to all users, including motorists, that cyclists may use the crossing. Signs indicating that "Cyclists May Use Crosswalk" also emphasize that pedestrians and cyclists share the crossing. Unless such a sign is present, it remains illegal for cyclists to ride in a crosswalk.

Examples of crossbikes can be seen at Clark and E 6th Avenue, Broadway and Victoria, western portions of the Central Valley Greenway along Great Northern Way, and Cambie and W 2nd Avenue.