Bike Lanes and Paths
These lanes are installed on some one way streets to give bikes a dedicated lane to ride against the flow of traffic.
When you bike with traffic:
- Share the lane with vehicles
When you bike against traffic:
- Travel in the contraflow bike lane. A single or double solid yellow line on the road separates the bikes in the contraflow bike lane from the cars.
Painted bike lanes reserve space on the road exclusively for bikes
In Your Car:
- When you are driving beside a painted bike lane, you need to pay special attention when turning right at an intersection or accessway such as an entrance into a parking lot or driveway
- Wait for the solid line to become dashed, shoulder check to look for a cyclist and then, when safe, enter the lane
On Your Bike or In Your Car:
- Bike lanes are dashed before an intersection to indicate to cyclists where a left turn bay starts
Protected bike lanes are on-street bike lanes protected from moving and parked vehicles by a physical barrier. Protected bike lanes may allow for travel in one or both directions.
On Your Bike:
- Watch for signs and paint symbols indicating the direction of travel
In Your Car:
- Look both directions and yield to bikes when crossing and turning
A seasonal program to support active modes of travel and provide more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors during the warm season.
- A vehicle lane is converted for people to use for physical activity; similar to a shared pathway, they can be used to cycle, run, walk and more
- Temporary flex posts are installed to separate mobility lanes from vehicle traffic so people can bike, scoot, roll and walk comfortably and safely in a separate lane
- The speed limit on the adjacent roadway is reduced to 40 km/h where the lane is not separated by a median
- Temporary ramps are set up at the access points allowing pedestrians, bikes, strollers, wheelchairs and other wheeled devices to move from the curb to the street pavement or vice versa
People cycle and drive along the roadway. These routes are marked with blue or green bike route signs or painted markings on the roadway.
The Safe Passing Distance Bylaw provides clear guidance for how much room people driving need to leave to safely pass people biking on the street.
In your vehicle:
- Pass safe, leave space; leave 1 metre between you and the person biking where the speed limit is 60 km/h or less, and 1.5 metres where the speed limit is greater than 60 km/h
- You may cross the solid yellow line, when safe, to give the required space
- People biking or scooting on the street may be riding in the middle of the lane to avoid obstacles and debris close to the curb
- Wait until it’s safe to pass, it won’t add much time to your trip
On your bike:
- The road marking guides where its best to travel on your bike
- Ride far enough out from the curb to avoid obstacles and to help people driving see you
- Ride in a straight line, rather than weaving in and out of parked vehicles
Road Markings and Street Signs
Shared pathways, which are paved, and trails, that are hard packed with gravel, wood chips or dirt, are for many activities. You can bike, walk, run and more.
On Your Bike:
- Use the path to travel in both directions
- Ring your bell to pass
- Slow down and pass on the left
- Yield to slower users
On Your Feet:
- Be aware that others may choose to pass you on your left
In Your Car:
- Check both directions and check for bikes when crossing a shared pathway
Some sidewalks may be designated as Shared Pathways or Shared Use Sidewalks. Watch for signs. Shared-use sidewalks are typically 2.5 m or wider and are marked with signs that indicate that they are shared. Watch for signs.
A complete list of shared-use sidewalks is available under Bicycle Highways in the Traffic Listing Document.
On your bike:
- Yield to pedestrians on shared-use sidewalks and ring your bell before passing
- Bicycles with wheels less than 50 cm in diameter, such as children's bicycles, are permitted on any sidewalk
Cycling on the sidewalk is not permitted except for bikes with a 50cm wheel diameter or less, such as kids’ bikes.
