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Streets and transportation
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
We post different signs and painted pavement markings to show bicycle routes and lanes.
Bicycle symbol and sign for designated bicycle routes
This sign and pavement marking shows that you are on a designated bicycle route.
Green-painted pavement along bicycle routes
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.
Diamond-and-bicycle symbol and sign for dedicated bicycle lanes
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.
Diamond symbol and sign for special vehicle lanes
You may ride your bicycle in lanes reserved for special vehicles like buses and carpools.
Bicycle-and-arrow symbol for routes changing direction
Follow the arrows to stay on the bicycle route.
Sharrow symbol for shared roadways
Position yourself along this pavement symbol to safely share the road with other vehicles.
Shared-pathway symbol and sign
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.
Traffic-signal sensor symbol
Line up your wheels with the lines on either side of this bicycle symbol to trigger a traffic signal change.
Dedicated bicycle traffic signal
Watch out for traffic signals specifically for people on bicycles so you know when it's your turn to cross the street.
Crossbike symbol (elephants' feet)
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.
Bicycle box symbol
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.
Traffic calming signs
We install traffic calming signs only when we implement traffic calming measures, and not on request.
Keep right sign
We install the keep right sign to mark traffic circles and curb bulges.
Maximum 30 km/h
These speed limit signs are installed in school and playground zones, and on bike routes only.
Pedestrian crosswalk
We install pedestrian crosswalk signs when we paint zebra markings.
Signs not installed by the City
We do not install:
- "No trucks" signs in residential areas because they are reserved for arterial streets and industrial-zoned areas
- "One way" signs because they would negatively affect nearby streets and lanes
- "Slow down", "Slow: children playing", or "Residential traffic only" signs on streets because they are not enforceable and they add to sign clutter
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 |  |
 |
1 |
|
| Electric-assisted bikes | |
|
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|
| Skateboards, push scooters, rollerblades, and skates | 2 |
|
|
|
| Motorized skateboards or scooters | |
|
|
|
| Segways | |
|
|
|
| Hoverboards | |
|
|
|
| Motorized wheelchairs | |
|
|
|
| Motorbikes and limited-speed motorcycles | |
|
|
|
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)
Skateboards in protected bike lanes
In December 2015 Council approved that skates, skateboards, and push-scooters be permitted in protected bike lanes for a trial period.
Skateboard volumes have been low and no concerns were received from the public, VPD, or ICBC during the trial period.
Council approved making the trial permanent in November 2017.
Jaywalking
The current definition of Jaywalking restricts crossing minor streets withing a block of a signal. A review of collision data indicated there are no concerns with this common behavior.
In November 2017, Council approved revising the definition of Jaywalking to exempt minor streets within a block of a signal. However, pedestrians crossing mid-block in minor streets will give right-of-way to motorists.
Elephant's Feet
Elephant’s feet are painted white squares and can be placed outside the painted white lines that mark pedestrian crosswalks. In this case, bike crossing is shared with pedestrians.
Elephant’s feet can also be placed on one side of the pedestrian crossing markings, so that pedestrians and cyclists each have their own crossing.
Bike crossing markings are a National standard but are not defined in the Motor Vehicle Act or Street and Traffic Bylaw.
New designs have shown the need to create separate crossings for cyclists and pedestrians by using Elephant's Feet markings.
In November 2017, Council approved their inclusion in the Streets and Traffic Bylaw.
Crosswalks
The current crosswalk definition under the Street and Traffic Bylaw includes space from curb to property line, even when there is a marked crosswalk.
The Motor Vehicle Act defines a crosswalk as the space from the curb to property line, or if there is already a marked crosswalk, as the space from the curb to the markings.
In November 2017, Council approved updating the definition of a crosswalk to be consistent with the Motor Vehicle Act.
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.
ICBC
BC Motor Vehicle Act
- Bicycle safety helmets (Section 184)
- Motor assisted cycles (Section 182.1)
- Motor assisted cycle regulation (separate bulletin)
- Cyclist rights and duties (Section 183)
City of Vancouver bylaws
Street and Traffic Bylaw
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 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)
