Visibility and safety tips

Tips based on how you are travelling

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  Walking

  How to help cyclists and drivers see you.

  Obey the law

  • If there are no pedestrian crossing lights, wait until it is safe to cross. Jaywalking is illegal.
  • Do not start to cross when the timer has started or the red hand is flashing. Crossing at this time is illegal.

  Be visible

  • Wear bright or reflective clothing.
  • Add a reflector to your bag. Consider carrying a flashlight or flashing red light at night.
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  Cycling

  How to help pedestrians and drivers see you, and stay safe.

  Obey the law

  • Always remember your helmet.
  • Use a white headlight and a rear red light and reflector on your bicycle after dark, when it's foggy, or when it's raining.
  • Yield to pedestrians at all crossings.

  Be visible

  • Wear bright or reflective clothing to be more visible at night or in darker conditions.

  Get into position

  • Use designated crossing points.
  • Use designated bike lanes and routes when possible.
  • If riding on the road, ride at least one metre away from parked cars in a straight line.

  Be considerate

  • Bike at walking speeds or dismount in crowded spaces.
  • Walk your bicycle on a sidewalk and through crosswalks unless otherwise posted.
  • The speed limit on shared pathways such as the Seawall is 15 km/h.
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  Driving

  How to help pedestrians and cyclists see you, and ensure all road users stay safe.

  Obey the law

  • Do not drive, park, or stop in a designated bike lane.

  Go slow

  • Watch your speed and drive slower. The speed limit on local street bikeways is 30 km/h.

  Leave room and share the road

  • Watch for and yield to people walking and cycling at intersections and when making a turn. Scan the crosswalk and sidewalk corners to make sure people are not crossing or about to step out in front.
  • Take extra caution when turning across a bicycle lane or pulling over to the side of the road, and always yield to bicycles.
  • Keep at least three seconds of following distance behind people cycling and at least one metre of space beside people cycling.

  Watch for hand signals

  • Know the hand signals that people cycling use to indicate they are turning left, right, or stopping.

  Be considerate​

  • Only honk your horn at a person on a bicycle if you need to give them a warning. A loud honk can be startling and cause someone to fall.

  Maintain your vehicle

  • Make sure your windshield wipers are in good working order and your windshield washer fluid is topped up