Symbols to know
Bicycle
Indicates that you are on a bicycle route
Bicycle with arrow
Indicates that the direction of a bicycle route is changing.
Bicycle & diamond
Motor vehicles, buses, and motorcycles are not permitted to travel or stop in this lane unless making a right turn onto a cross street. Transit buses may stop at designated stops for passengers.
Bicycle & vertical lines
Indicates that the traffic signal is activated by sensors and shows cyclists where to line up wheels to trigger the signal change.
Bicycle & chevrons or "Sharrow"
Indicates on major streets where you should generally position yourself while sharing the roadway with other vehicles.
Bicycle & pedestrian
Indicates a street pathway shared by pedestrians and cyclists. Cyclists must yield to pedestrians.
Diamond
Reserved for special vehicles (buses, carpools, bicycles). In Vancouver, cyclists may ride in these marked or signed reserved lanes
Bicycle route
The signs indicate you’re riding on a designated bike route
Crossbikes/elephants' feet
Crossings where cyclists are permitted to ride are known as 'crossbikes'.
Crossbikes/elephants' feet
Crossbikes may or may not be exclusive to cyclists; often they are shared with pedestrians.
Bicycle box
Indicates area where cyclists may go ahead of motor vehicles at a red signal to get into position for turning or going straight before other vehicle traffic when the signal turns green.
Learn more about cycling safety: Bike Sense: The British Columbia Bicycle Operator’s Manual (
PDF 1.22 mb)