Bike box signs on Pacific Boulevard

Signs, signals, and regulations

Contents

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:

  1. Victoria Drive and Grant Street
  2. West Boulevard and 42nd Avenue
  3. 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.

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When we do not install flashing beacons

Crossing signals

Pedestrian safety traffic signalThe 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.

Pedestrian safety 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.

When we do not install signals

​​​​​​​Update coming

  • In July 2020, Council voted to extend the hours of the 30km/hr school zone and playground to 24/7.
  • Until new signs are installed, the current speed limits remain in place.
  • We estimate new signs will be in place end of 2020/early 2021.

Speed limits

Unless otherwise posted:

  • City roads: 50 km/h
  • School zone: 30 km/h (8am to 5pm, school days)
  • Playground zone: 30 km/h (every day, dawn to dusk)
  • Street bikeways: 30 km/h
  • Lanes: 20 km/h

 

​​​​​​​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

 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Bicycle-and-arrow symbol for routes changing direction

    By City of Vancouver

    Follow the arrows to stay on the bicycle route.

  • Sharrow symbol for shared roadways

    By City of Vancouver

    Position yourself along this pavement symbol to safely share the road with other vehicles.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Traffic calming signs and road markings

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.

We do not install crosswalks when there is a stop sign facing the direction because vehicles must stop at a stop sign regardless of whether a pedestrian is waiting to cross or not.

Getting road marking details for collisions

If you've been in a collision and want precise details on road markings, you will need to hire a private surveyor. We do not keep "as built" drawings of road markings.

Signs and markings 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 add to sign clutter
  • "No Stopping Anytime" signs on a request basis
  • Signs for single family driveways
  • Signs in lanes, except for the West End, as there are by-laws for stopping and parking in lanes
  • Painted solid yellow lines on the side and top of curbs

​​​​​​​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 Yes No Yes1 Yes
Electric-assisted bikes Yes No No Yes
Skateboards, push scooters, rollerblades, and skates Yes2 No Yes Yes
Motorized skateboards or scooters No No No No
Segways No No No No
Hoverboards No No No No
Motorized wheelchairs No Yes Yes No
Motorbikes and limited-speed motorcycles Yes No No No

Notes

  1. Where signs permit
  2. Local streets only

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.

Reporting 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).

Requesting stop sign changes

Use our online form 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)

Request stop sign changes online

Reporting issues with overhead wires

All City electrical wires are underground.

Report issues or concerns with overhead wires to the appropriate organization:

For safety concerns, phone 9-1-1.