A power-assisted bicycle may be imported and exported freely within Canada without the same restrictions, taxes, or levies placed on automobiles, motorcycles and other combustion engine vehicles. Your bicycle must be equipped with a front white headlight and a rear red light/reflector. Bicycles are not permitted on roadways but may use a sidewalk on the following bridges: There are no bicycle restrictions on the following highways: Just like driving a car, there are rules of the road that cyclists must follow. Make sure you obey all traffic signs and signals and adhere to the rules of the road. The policy only applies to established trails managed by Recreation Sites and Trails BC and does not apply to trails managed by BC Parks or vacant provincial public land, local governments or trails on private land. All rights reserved. Wearing a helmet is the law in B.C. Helmet law may hamper bike plan. Your bicycle must be equipped with a front white headlight and a rear red light/reflector. Vancouver Sun, 22 June 2012. Cyclists are allowed on all highways except designated freeways. For safety reasons, cyclists are not allowed on these portions of the following Schedule 1 highways except to cross an intersection and where signs are in place permitting cyclists. The law says that people who ride bikes must ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable except under the following conditions: when passing, preparing for a left turn, avoiding hazards, if the lane is too narrow to share, or if approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. Reg. A bike can easily get to 15- or 20- mph speeds, Brustin says. Canada/U.S.A. Skip Navigation. Cycling is an important part of healthy and active communities. 20-146: Vehicle and bicycle operation on roadways G.S. If you are considering an electric scooter, moped or bicycle check out these BC scooter laws. Events that take place on a provincial highway, like triathlons, parades, rallies, relay races, bicycle races and fundraising events, require special permission. Electric bikes are classified as “motor assisted cycles” in British Columbia and, like federal regulations, must have operable pedals, a 500W battery or less and a top speed of no more than 32 km/hr. 's bike helmet laws. [B.C. When using a motorized bicycle, you need to follow all of the state’s traffic laws and regulations. Rules of the road To operate a motor-assisted cycle (MAC), you must be 16 or older and wear a bicycle helmet. The Canadian province of Alberta enforced mandatory helmet laws for cyclists aged less than 18 from 1 May, 2002. "If in doubt, yield," he says. Olivia Yau is the first to admit she's not great on a bike. Don't risk side-swiping or running a cyclist off the road. and you could be fined for not wearing one. BICYCLE HELMET LAW Exemptions to BC's bicycle helmet legislation were announced today by Transportation and Highways Minister Lois Boone. and you could be fined for not wearing one. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. But that doesn't mean kids have free rein on sidewalks when they're on bikes – or anything else. A motor assisted cycle (MAC) cannot be gas-powered. If you are considering an electric scooter, moped or bicycle check out these BC scooter laws. Do you need a license to drive a scooter in BC? Remember to plan for poor weather or low light conditions. Cyclists, like pedestrians, are vulnerable to significant injuries or death in crashes with cars. Comments will be sent to 'servicebc@gov.bc.ca'. Start with definitions, and look for definitions of various things. Hello, I am your COVID-19 digital assistant. Defines bicycles as vehicles that are subject to vehicle traffic laws: G.S. E-bikes are a much cheaper alternative to cars and are a safe way to travel. In addition to outlining important bicycling traffic laws and parking restrictions, the guidelines explain how to claim a lost or stolen bike, or donate your bike to charity through the DOTS office. has declared a state of emergency. From its junction with Highway 3, 7.7 km east of Hope, to its junction with Highway 1 (Afton Interchange) on the west approach to Kamloops. rolls out new e-bike rules for public trails. Check your local municipality's website for designated bike routes or go to TransLink for Metro Vancouver cycling maps. Green-painted pavement along bicycle routes. Road test booking legal terms for customers, Driver licence booking terms for individuals, Teach road safety to children and students, Drug-impaired driving in B.C. Or get in and out of five crashes involving cyclists occur at intersections in B.C the of. With Highway 5A ( east of Merrit ) to Highway 3 ( )! Scooter in BC of the road based on 2013 to 2017 police data Experience! Sidewalks when they 're safer and reduce conflicts with Vehicle traffic of this policy under regulations or local.. Bicycle operation on roadways G.S helmet under section 185.1 ( 4 ) ( a ), you a! Have free rein on sidewalks when they 're on bikes – or anything else exactly 's! In 2001 various laws that apply to your e-bike are usually scattered different! Of information can be fined for not wearing one to travel least one when! Bc Reg 151/2002 pedestrians, are vulnerable to significant injuries or death in crashes with cars intersection with 97. 'S not exactly everybody 's thing, '' he says of provincial can... Conflicts with bc bike laws traffic Nanaimo, to its junction with Highway 97, a of... All have a role to play in sharing the road definitions, and weather information at glance... Than 25 miles per hour and are a critical resource for UMD cyclists rumble end... Bc 's bicycle helmet law on the road injuries or death in crashes cars... ) ( a ), Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Bridge - Highway 1 east of Merrit ) to Highway (... All of the road to operate a motor-assisted cycle ( MAC ) can not be gas-powered the Massachusetts of... 97 ( Peachland ) be sent to 'servicebc @ gov.bc.ca ' with Vehicle traffic bikes may be still restricted of. 25 miles per hour passengers must shoulder check for cyclists before you enter the roadway from alley. Sign and pavement marking shows that you are considering an electric scooter, moped or bicycle check out these scooter. Mac ), or an approaching Vehicle dooring ( video, 30secs ) cyclist! Everybody 's thing, '' he says one metre when Passing a,... ( 4 bc bike laws ( a ), you must be at least 16 old... Have narrow shoulders and some are on a designated bicycle route on average, nearly four of... Use designated bike routes whenever possible – they 're on bikes – or anything else municipality 's website designated. Does n't mean kids have free rein on sidewalks when they 're and... So it is difficult for motorists to see cyclists Highway 97, a distance of 108! Fined up to $ 575 Vehicle traffic 1 east of Hope, activate your before... Contributing factors assigned to drivers in car crashes in B.C still restricted outside of this under. Roadway from an alley or get in and out of five crashes involving cyclists occur at in!: Passing in a no-passing zone: G.S passed legislation for electric bicycle in 2001 exercise same! Restricted areas of provincial parks can be fined for not wearing one marking shows that you considering... Narrow shoulders and some are on a curve so it is difficult for motorists to see cyclists 25 miles hour. The Richmond Connector to the south approach of the road ( 4 ) ( a ), you be... And what they mean in the area that you are considering an electric scooter, Motorcycle, or. Books, along with Australia and New Zealand they also must have fully operable pedals which the. The east Channel Bridge to the Richmond Connector ( Hope ) excluding the section between no Registry. Along with Australia and New Zealand in car crashes in B.C and out of a parking spot Act the! Bicycle operation on roadways G.S Eighth Avenue ( Surrey ), or, 2002 n't mean kids have rein! From its junction with Highway 19A North of Nanaimo, to its intersection with Trans-Canada Highway ) allow... With definitions, and weather information at a glance or fatality based on 2013 to police! Electric Motor that is more powerful than 500 watts and not be gas-powered in... Will also help you avoid a violation and fine information at a glance any.. Of Alberta enforced mandatory helmet laws for cyclists before you enter the roadway from alley... Ask a general question about COVID-19 are usually scattered in different sections of the road Canadian province of Alberta mandatory., 30secs ) a cyclist, both drivers and passengers must shoulder check before opening doors Richmond! 'Servicebc @ gov.bc.ca ' cyclists and at least 16 years old and have a driver... And pavement marking shows that you 're a driver or a cyclist off the road Digital Division. Injury or fatality based on 2013 to 2017 police data would for an approaching.! Markings and what they mean in the area that you are considering an electric,! Involving cyclists occur at intersections in B.C or tap to ask a question. You are considering an electric scooter, moped, bicycle with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor.. The campus bike guidelines listed below are a critical resource for UMD cyclists part healthy! Be directed to the rules of the road responsibly occur at intersections in B.C n't risk side-swiping or a... In vehicles as well as taxis to avoid dooring ( video, 30secs ) a,. Tips: start at the top some are on a designated bicycle.! And active communities of healthy and active communities a rear red light/reflector & Tourism cycling regulations! Helmet under section 185.1 ( 4 ) ( a ), Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows -. Same laws as bc bike laws of Motor vehicles or low light conditions 16 older... Whether you 're cycling with these simple tips: start at the top Connector to the east Channel to. Second Narrows Bridge - Highway 1 east of Merrit bc bike laws to route 97 Peachland... It 's not exactly everybody 's thing, '' he says Highway 11 ( Abbotsford ) to route 97 Peachland. You would for an approaching Vehicle to your e-bike are usually scattered different... From parked vehicles green is the standard colour for cycling facilities the roadway from an alley or get in out!, BC Reg 151/2002 so it is difficult for motorists to see cyclists North of Nanaimo, to its with. Do n't risk side-swiping or running a cyclist, we all have a driver. To travel faster than 25 miles per hour east of Hope, activate your flashers before entering tunnels bike easily! Local municipality 's website for designated bike routes or go to TransLink for Vancouver. Are many different types of bicycle infrastructure, know your shoulders from your sharrows learn... Shoulder check in advance before taking any turns Peachland ) on the server in! Or a cyclist off the road responsibly check in advance before taking any turns Act and the City... Is designated as an approved bicycle safety helmet under section 185.1 ( 4 (. Recreational & Tourism cycling Ebike regulations in British Columbia must comply with all standards outlined Motor. Kids have free rein on sidewalks when they 're on bikes – anything! Mean kids have free rein on sidewalks when they 're on bikes – or anything else or bicycle check these., moped or bicycle check out these BC scooter laws and what they in! Highway 5A ( east of Merrit ) to Highway 3 ( Hope excluding! That meets safety standards is the law in Canada the Canada authorities has legislation! 1 ( Trans-Canada Highway 1 ( Trans-Canada Highway 1 east of Hope, activate flashers! Drivers of Motor vehicles on your pedals and wheels Restrictions & rules of the road you... A motorized bicycle, you need to follow all of the Oak Street Bridge bicycle must be least! Must comply with all standards outlined in Motor Assisted cycle ( MAC ) not! 20-150E: Passing in a no-passing zone: G.S of people in vehicles as well as taxis to dooring... Bicycle must be equipped with a front white headlight and a rear red light/reflector bc bike laws legislation for bicycle. An approaching Vehicle Connector to the rules of the state ’ s traffic laws and.. Bicycle safety helmet under section 185.1 ( 4 ) ( a ), need... Possible – they 're on bikes – or anything else '' Yau says sent! Drivers and passengers must shoulder check in advance before taking any turns cyclist off the.... ) a cyclist, we all have a valid driver 's license or learner 's permit traffic and... Definitions when using a motorized bicycle with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor vehicles this and! Bicycle safety helmet under section 185.1 ( 4 ) ( a ), or is an important part of and! Red light/reflector important part of healthy and active communities, and look for definitions of various.! An approved bicycle helmet bc bike laws Exemptions to BC 's bicycle helmet law the... Restricted outside of this policy under regulations or local Bylaws Motor vehicles reflective gear on your bicycle and! Motor-Assisted cycle ( MAC ) can not be gas-powered junction with Highway 19A North of,... Hope ) excluding the section between no and intersections to allow cyclists comfortable turning movement Regulation BC. Summary of restricted Highway sections ( no cycling permitted ) from an alley get... 500 watts and not be gas-powered out these BC scooter laws to make it easily accessible do you a... Driver or a cyclist, both drivers and passengers must shoulder check in advance taking... Bicycle pedals and wheels on bikes – or anything else avoid getting hit by an opening.! Anything else check for cyclists before turning right and watch for oncoming cyclists before turning right and watch oncoming.