Where to Ride FAQ
- There is a bike lane going against traffic on a one-way street. How do I use this?
- What are on-street bicycle routes?
- How do I use a bicycle lane?
- Do cyclists have to ride in the dedicated bicycle lane?
- How do I turn left in a bicycle lane?
- What happens to bicycle lanes at bus stops?
- What do I need to know about cycling beside parked cars?
- Is it legal to ride my bicycle on a sidewalk?
- How are laws enforced for cyclists?
- Will bicycle lanes be closed in the winter?
- The Bike Lanes start and stop, sometimes they end completely, sometimes they change into Shared-Use Lanes. What do I do when this happens?
- 1. There is a bike lane going against traffic on a one-way street. How do I use this?
This is a Contra Flow Bike Lane. This type of lane is found on a one-way street. In this case, cyclists who ride in the same direction of traffic use a Shared-Use Lane. If they want to ride against traffic, they can use the Contra Flow Bike Lane. A Contra Flow Bike Lane is separated from the driving lane by solid yellow lines and marked with an image of a bicycle and white diamond.
- Cyclists should always ride in the direction of the arrows
- Cyclists riding against traffic ride in the Contra Flow Bike Lane
- Cyclists riding in the same direction as traffic use the Shared-Use Lane
Note: Cyclists can ride against traffic only if there is a Contra Flow Bike Lane.
- 2. What are on-street bicycle routes?
Bicycles are permitted on any road in Edmonton. On-street bicycle routes, such as bicycle lanes and shared-use lanes, are specially designed facilities to support safe and efficient bicycle transportation.
- 3. How do I use a bicycle lane?
Travel in the same direction as traffic, unless the bicycle lane is a clearly marked contra-flow bicycle lane.
Use other travel lanes when necessary to avoid hazards, to pass other vehicles or to make left hand turns which are not possible from the bicycle lane.
You can use other travel lanes, there is no law that requires cyclists to use the bicycle lane.
- 4. Do cyclists have to ride in the dedicated bicycle lane?
No.
Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles and therefore may ride outside the bicycle lane.
For example, a cyclist making a left hand turn, may join the flow of motor vehicle traffic and turn left from the left turn lane.
- 5. How do I turn left in a bicycle lane?
You can turn left as a vehicle using hand signals and manoeuvring into the left-hand lane when safe to do so.
You can also proceed through the intersection and cross at the crosswalk as a pedestrian.
- 6. What happens to bicycle lanes at bus stops?
At bus stops, the bicycle lane is dashed to indicate that the bus can pull across the bicycle lane, and to notify the cyclist that buses will be pulling over.
When a bus is at a bus stop, the cyclist should either wait behind the bus or legally pass it on the left by making a proper lane change.
The cyclist should not pass the bus on the right as they may conflict with people getting on or off the bus.
- 7. What do I need to know about cycling beside parked cars?
Always be aware that car doors may suddenly open.
You often need to cycle along the left edge of the bicycle lane when parking is present to avoid riding in the door zone.
Do not be afraid to leave the bicycle lane when necessary for your safety, providing you have checked for other vehicles prior to manoeuvring.
- 8. Is it legal to ride my bicycle on a sidewalk?
A bicycle can be ridden on a sidewalk as long as the bicycle has a wheel diameter of 50 centimetres or less.
For adults, cycling on sidewalks is not recommended. There is greater risk of being in a collision as motorists are not watching for quick moving vehicles coming from the sidewalk at intersections and driveways.
Always dismount your bicycle and walk it when using crosswalks and sidewalks that are not designated as shared-use.
- 9. How are laws enforced for cyclists?
- Cyclists are vehicles and have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles. There is enforcement in place as well as educational programs to help users to follow the law.
- 10. Will bicycle lanes be closed in the winter?
No.
Bicycle lanes will be maintained year round including snow clearing and roadway sweeping.
- 11. The Bike Lanes start and stop, sometimes they end completely, sometimes they change into Shared-Use Lanes. What do I do when this happens?
The Bike Routes have been created to make cycling easier on city streets. As we all know, our streets are not the same everywhere and changes in the road and the needs of facilities (such as schools and religious assemblies) along bike routes will effect the Bike Route's configuration. Cyclists have the same rights as motorists, whether they are using the bicycle network or not. When a Bike Lane ends cyclists will use the road just as they would on any city street. When a Bike Lane becomes a Shared-Use Lane cyclists are encouraged to follow the markings and share the road with motorists.
For more information:
Transportation Planning
13th Floor, Century Place
9803 – 102A Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 3A3
| Telephone | 780-496-1795 |
|---|---|
| cycling@edmonton.ca |
Transforming Edmonton
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