Cycling regulations, restrictions and rules of the road

Last updated on May 24, 2023

It's the Law: Just like driving a car, there are rules of the road that cyclists must follow to keep themselves and others safe.


Friendly Url for this Page: gov.bc.ca/cyclingrules

The B.C. government is updating transportation policies and regulations so more British Columbians can choose active transportation and stay safe on roads. 

Check highway conditions: View highway conditions, traffic, and weather information at a glance

Rumble strips: Rumble strips are shallow grooves milled into the centreline and the shoulder of a roadway. When cycling on highways, cyclists should be aware of shoulder rumble strips and use gaps in the rumble strip to maneuver across the edge line to avoid obstacles on the shoulder. Rumble strips end before most driveways and intersections to allow cyclists comfortable turning movement.

Where can you cycle?

Cyclists are allowed on all highways except designated freeways.

Restricted bridges: Bicycles are not permitted on roadways but may use a sidewalk on the following bridges.

  • Annacis Bridge - Highway 91
    New Westminster - Richmond - Delta
  • East Channel Bridge - Highway 91
    New Westminster - Richmond - Delta
  • Queensborough Bridge - Highway 91A
    New Westminster
  • Knight Street Bridge - Knight Street
    Vancouver - Richmond
  • Lions Gate Bridge - Highway 1A/99
    North Vancouver - Vancouver
  • Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Bridge - Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway)
    North Vancouver - Vancouver
  • Oak Street Bridge - Highway 99
    Vancouver - Richmond
  • Port Mann Bridge - Highway 1
    Trans-Canada Highway
    Coquitlam - Surrey
  • Pattullo Bridge - Highway 99A/1A
    New Westminster - Surrey
  • William R. Bennett Bridge - Highway 97 - Kelowna

Use designated shuttle service for this tunnel:

Use designated bicycle route for this highway:

​Unrestricted bridges: There are no bicycle restrictions on the following bridges. Please note, these bridges are narrow so you will be travelling with highway traffic:

  • Nelson Bridge - Highway 3A
    ​Nelson

Restricted highways: 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.

Restricted highways

Schedule 1 Highways

Summary of Restricted Highway Sections (no cycling permitted)

Exceptions

Trans-Canada Highway 1*
  • From the ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay to the north approach of the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Bridge
  • From its intersection with Rupert Street to its junction with Highway 3 in Hope
  • From its junction with the Coquihalla Highway (Afton Interchange) on the west approach to Kamloops to its junction with the Yellowhead Highway 5 on the east approach to Kamloops.
  • Horseshoe Bay to Capilano Road
  • Highway 11 (Abbotsford) to Highway 3 (Hope) excluding the section between No. 3 Road (Abbotsford) and Lickman Road
  • Valleyview Road to Route 5 (Kamloops East) for westbound travel only
Hope-Princeton Highway 3
  • From its junction with Highway 1 in Hope to its junction with the Coquihalla Highway, 7.7 km east
  • Highway 1 (Hope) to Highway 5 (east of Hope)
Coquihalla Highway 5
  • 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.
  • Highway 3 (east of Hope) to Highway 1, Afton Interchange (Kamloops West)
Inland Island Highway 19
  • From Craig's crossing south of Parksville to its intersection with Highway 19A at Willow/Tamarac in Campbell River
  • From its North Cedar Road intersection with Trans-Canada Highway 1, south of Nanaimo, to its intersection with Highway 19A north of Nanaimo.
  • South of Parksville (Craig's Crossing) to Campbell River (Willow/Tamarac)
  • From its North Cedar Road intersection with Trans-Canada Highway 1, south of Nanaimo, to its intersection with Highway 19A north of Nanaimo
Annacis Highway 91
  • From its interchange Highway 99 to the south approach to the Annacis Bridge
  • From the north approach to the Annacis Bridge to the the south approach to the East Channel Bridge
  • From the north approach to the East Channel Bridge to the Richmond Connector.
  • No exceptions
Annacis Highway 91A
  • From the Richmond Connector to the south approach to the Queensborough Bridge.
  • No exceptions
Okanagan Connector Highway 97C
  • From its junction with Highway 5A to its junction with Highway 97, a distance of approximately 108 kilometres.
  • Highway 5A (east of Merrit) to Route 97 (Peachland)
Highway 99
  • From 1st Avenue in Surrey to the south approach of the Oak Street Bridge.
  • Canada/U.S.A. border to Eighth Avenue (Surrey)

* When cycling on Highway 1 east of Hope, activate your flashers before entering tunnels. These tunnels have narrow shoulders and some are on a curve so it is difficult for motorists to see cyclists. We're piloting an active warning sign to warn motorist to be are that a cyclist may be in the tunnel, and to proceed with extra caution.

Holding an event on or along a highway: Events that take place on a provincial highway, like triathlons, parades, rallies, relay races, bicycle races and fundraising events, require special permission.