Vancouver Police are reminding pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers to follow the rules of the road in an effort to avoid tragedies this summer.
With the nice weather and summer months approaching, more and more people will be out for walks and cycling in the streets of Vancouver. The safety of cyclists and pedestrians is a priority for the VPD, but it is everyone’s responsibility to keep our roads safe by watching and being aware of all road users at all times.
Crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists increase from June to September. The VPD’s traffic enforcement officers will be focusing their efforts on behaviour that put the safety of pedestrians and cyclists at risk.
“Cyclists and pedestrians are amongst the most vulnerable road users, and the VPD strives to ensure that all commuters get to their destination safely,” says Acting Staff Sergeant Dan Fox from the VPD Traffic Section.
“We want to reinforce the message that collisions are preventable and road safety requires cooperation and patience from everyone as summer begins and people spend more time outdoors.”
Pedestrians Tips
Always Make Eye Contact With An Approaching Driver Or Cyclist Before Crossing The Road – Assume They Cannot See You
Wear Bright Reflective Clothing At Night Or During Poor Visibility
Don’t J-walk – Cross Roads At Crosswalks And Obey Traffic Signals
Pay Attention – Don’t Text While Walking
Cyclist Tips
Cycle Responsibly And Follow The Rules Of The Road
Plan Your Route Before You Go, Give Yourself Plenty Of Time, And Choose Bike Lanes And Paths Where Possible; If You’re New To Cycling, Plan Your Cycling Route And Pick Routes With Less Traffic – Municipalities Often Have Great Maps Of Bike Routes On Their Websites
Be Aware Of What’s Going On Around You At All Times And Watch For Vehicles Entering The Roadway From Laneways And Parking Lots
Ride At Least One Metre Away From Parked Vehicles To Avoid Being Hit By An Opening Door Or A Vehicle Pulling Into Your Lane From The Curb; Use Caution If You Notice Someone In The Vehicle
Wear A Helmet
It’s Illegal To Cycle On Most Sidewalks And In Crosswalks; It Puts Pedestrians In Danger And Drivers Don’t Expect Cyclists To Enter The Roadway From A Sidewalk
Get A Bell For Your Bike To Help Pedestrians Hear You
When Riding At Dusk, Dawn Or At Night, Your Bike Must Be Equipped With A White Headlight And A Rear Red Light And Reflector – Consider Adding More Lights To Be Even More Visible
Driver Tips
Actively Watch For Cyclists On The Road – Make Eye Contact With Cyclists Whenever Possible To Let Them Know You Have Seen Them
Shoulder-check For Cyclists Before Turning Right And Watch For Oncoming Cyclists Before Turning Left
Before You Or A Passenger Opens A Vehicle Door, Shoulder-check For Cyclists Coming From Behind
Before You Pull Away From The Curb, Make Sure You Shoulder-check For Cyclists
If You Need To Cross A Bike Lane To Turn Right Or To Pull To The Side Of The Road, Signal Well In Advance And Yield To Cyclists
If You’re Entering The Roadway From A Laneway Or Parking Lot, Always Scan For Cyclists And Other Road Users
