Downtown Bike Network

Protected bike lanes illustration

Protected bike lanes are on-street bike facilities protected from moving and parked cars by a physical barrier. These lanes make driving and cycling more comfortable by creating a dedicated space on the road for people to bike. 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

In your car and on your bike:

Travel slow along the Downtown Bike Network so you have time to see and respond to all the new features

Green Stripes at Intersections

Green Stripes at Intersections illustration

Striped green paint indicates that a bike lane is crossing an intersection or accessway such as an alleyway or entrance into a parking lot.

On your bike:

Look both directions when crossing

In your car:

Look both directions when crossing
Yield to cyclists in the bike lanes and pedestrians on the sidewalk
Do not block the bike lane
Watch out for the new signs indicating changes to turning rules

Bike Turn Boxes

Bike Turn Boxes illustration

Green Bike Turn Boxes painted at intersections provide cyclists
with a safe way to turn left or right.

On your bike:

Move into the green box
Position yourself in your new direction of travel, and wait at the red light
When the light turns green,proceed through the intersection

In your car:

Do not stop in the Bike Turn Box
When the light is red, stop behind the painted white line behind the Bike Turn Box

In your car and on your bike:

When stopped at an intersection, do not stop on the "X"

Note: Crossing two lanes of traffic to make a left or right turn from a protected bike lane is not permitted.

Bike Turn Box - Turning Left

Bike Turn Box - Turning Right

Bike Box

Bike Box illustration

A bike box allows cyclists to pull in front of waiting traffic at a signalized intersection, making cyclists more visible and giving them a head start when turning.

If the Light is Red

On your bike:

Enter the bike box and position yourself in your direction of travel

In your car:

Stop behind the white line.
Note: Some right turns are not permitted for cars on a red. Watch for signs.

When the Light Turns Green

On your bike:

Proceed through the intersection first, followed by motorists

If the Light is Green

On your bike:

To turn left: Yield to cars then move into the bike box when safe to do so.
To go straight or turn right: Proceed as normal.

In your car:

Proceed as normal

Bike Triggered Crossing - Signal with Sensors

Bike Triggered Crossing illustration

Bike-triggered crossings help cyclists to cross at intersections.

On your bike:

Watch for the “Entering Bike Detection Zone” sign
Once you pass this sign, stop and wait; you will be detected by the sensors
Cross when the pedestrian light turns white

In your car:

Be aware of bikes crossing the intersection

Bicycle Signals

Bicycle Signals illustration

New Bicycle Signals will be located throughout the Downtown Bike Network. Refer to these signals when crossing intersections. Signal timings may be adjusted as the Downtown Bike Network evolves.

In your car and on your bike:

Watch for signs indicating signal phase changes

Raised Crossing at Bus Stop

Raised Crossing at Bus Stop illustration

A Raised Crossing brings the level of the roadway to that
of the adjacent bus stop. Transit users will be getting on
and off the bus at this location.

On your bike:

Slow down and yield to pedestrians

On your feet:

Be aware and look both ways before crossing
Do not wait/stand in the crossing

Shared-Use Paths

Shared Use Path illustration

Shared-use paths are for many activities. You can bike, walk, run, and more. Some sidewalks may be designated as Shared-Use Paths. Watch for signs.

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:

Keep to the right
Be aware that others may choose to pass you on your left

In your car:

Check both directions and shoulder check for bikes when crossing a shared-use path

White Squares at Crosswalks - Shared Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossings

White Squares at Crosswalks illustration

When a Shared-Use Path crosses an intersection, the
crosswalk will be lined with White Squares. These squares
identify shared bicycle and pedestrian crossings and may
be controlled by a pedestrian walk light and traffic signal.

On your bike:

There is no need to dismount your bike to cross.
At a crosswalk with a pedestrian light: cross when the walk light is on.
At a crosswalk without a pedestrian light: yield to cars and pedestrians before entering the roadway and cross when it’s safe to do so.

In your car:

Be aware that people on bikes may be riding across the intersection

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
TTY	780-944-5555
Email	311@edmonton.ca

Downtown Bike Network - How To and What's New

Some Helpful Tips for all Road Users

In your car:

On your bike:

On your feet:

See green? Watch out for each other.

Green paint on the roadway marks areas where drivers and cyclists could cross paths. Be aware and take care when crossing. Traveling slower along the Downtown Bike Network will give you time to see and respond to all the new features.

On your bike:

In your car:

In your car and on your bike:

On your bike:

In your car:

On your bike:

In your car:

In your car and on your bike:

Bike Turn Box - Turning Left

Bike Turn Box - Turning Right