Our priorities are the safety of:
- People walking and cycling
- At-risk groups like children, seniors, and those with mobility challenges
We use signs, signals, and painted road markings to let you know where you can walk or ride your bicycle safely.
Flashing beacons to enhance crosswalk safety
We are testing rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) at three crosswalks in the City:
- Victoria Drive and Grant Street
- West Boulevard and 42nd Avenue
- Elliot Street and Waverly Avenue
When you cross the street at these locations, press the button to turn on the high-intensity light and let people driving or cycling know you’re crossing.
Flashing beacons are suited where many people cross the road, drivers rarely stop, and a pedestrian signal isn’t essential.
Watch a video about how the beacons work.
Crossing signals
Pedestrian crossing signal
The walking pedestrian light means cross the street within the painted crosswalk lines if it is safe.
The flashing hand means it's too late to cross if you haven't already started so wait until the next walking pedestrian light.
The steady hand means don't cross and wait until the next walking pedestrian light.
Countdown timer
The countdown timer may appear next to the signals above, depending on the intersection. When you see the flashing hand and countdown, it's too late to cross if you haven't already so wait until the next walking pedestrian light.
Road signs and markings
Know what these signs and symbols mean to help keep you safe, however you're travelling.
Cycling road signs and markings
Cycling road signs and markings
By City of Vancouver
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Bicycle symbol and sign for designated bicycle routes
By City of Vancouver
This sign and pavement marking shows that you are on a designated bicycle route.
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Green-painted pavement along bicycle routes
By City of Vancouver
In North America, green is the standard colour for cycling facilities. Green-painted pavement identifies locations for potential conflicts with vehicles, such as street- and driveway crossings. Watch for turning, crossing, or merging motor vehicles.
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Diamond-and-bicycle symbol and sign for dedicated bicycle lanes
By City of Vancouver
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.
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Diamond symbol and sign for special vehicle lanes
By City of Vancouver
You may ride your bicycle in lanes reserved for special vehicles like buses and carpools.
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Bicycle-and-arrow symbol for routes changing direction
By City of Vancouver
Follow the arrows to stay on the bicycle route.
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Sharrow symbol for shared roadways
By City of Vancouver
Position yourself along this pavement symbol to safely share the road with other vehicles.
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Shared-pathway symbol and sign
By City of Vancouver
Yield to people walking when you're on an off-street pathway shared by people walking and cycling. Look for this symbol around the Seawall.
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Traffic-signal sensor symbol
By City of Vancouver
Line up your wheels with the lines on either side of this bicycle symbol to trigger a traffic signal change.
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Dedicated bicycle traffic signal
By City of Vancouver
Watch out for traffic signals specifically for people on bicycles so you know when it's your turn to cross the street.
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Crossbike symbol (elephants' feet)
By City of Vancouver
Crossbikes are crosswalks with dotted lines (or "elephants' feet") for people walking and cycling. You may ride your bicycle through the crossing. Always yield to people walking.
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Bicycle box symbol
By City of Vancouver
Position yourself in the green box at a stop signal so you can proceed before other vehicles when it's time to cross. Pay special attention to the green bike box when you turn left off of a protected bicycle lane.
Where it's ok to cycle, ride, and skate
Hoverboards, motorized scooters, and Segways are currently not allowed on City streets, sidewalks, paths (including the Seawall), and protected bike lanes.
| Vehicle | Roads | Sidewalks | Seawall and park paths | Protected bike lanes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bikes |  |
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1 |
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| Electric-assisted bikes | |
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| Skateboards, push scooters, rollerblades, and skates | 2 |
|
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| Motorized skateboards or scooters | |
|
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| Segways | |
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| Hoverboards | |
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|
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| Motorized wheelchairs | |
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|
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| Motorbikes and limited-speed motorcycles | |
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Notes
- Where signs permit
- Local streets only
What's new
Learn about the updates on skateboards in protected bike lanes and Street and Traffic Bylaw amendments.
(3 MB)
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Rules of the road
The BC Motor Vehicle Act sets the rules for how motor vehicles (including low-powered vehicles) operate on roads and sidewalks next to roads in BC.
Our Street and Traffic Bylaw regulates how City streets are used by all road users. Our Parks Control Bylaw regulates how park paths and the Seawall are used.
Read the regulations for using a bicycle and low-powered vehicle in this section.
Report an issue or request a service
Report traffic or pedestrian signal issues
Use this VanConnect form to request traffic or pedestrian signal changes, additions, and repairs.
Report street light issues
Use our app to report street light issues in Vancouver.
Request sidewalk repairs
Use this VanConnect form to request sidewalk repairs in the city.
Request sign repair
Use this VanConnect form to request sign repair in the city.
Report stop sign issues
Report damaged stop signs
A damaged stop sign can be a hazard to pedestrians and vehicles.
Phone 3-1-1 immediately to report signs that are damaged, missing, or blocked (for example, by branches).
Request stop sign changes
Phone 3-1-1 to request:
- Stop signs be installed at an uncontrolled intersection
- Directional changes for existing stop signs
- Additional stop signs be installed (for example, change a two-way stop to a four-way stop)
