If you see a bicycle with two chevrons but no diamond this is a
SHARED LANE
Shared lane pavement markings, (or
“sharrows” for short) help cyclists and
motorists share the road. According
to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act,
a bicycle is a vehicle.
The sharrow pavement markings help
to enhance designated cycling routes
by highlighting the best position for
cyclists on the road.
Side-by-side sharrows
Sidewalks are for pedestrians, only children riding
bicycles with a wheel size of 61cm or less may
lawfully cycle on a sidewalk. Always dismount when
riding through a pedestrian crosswalk. Fine: $85
UNDERSTANDING
BICYCLE LANES
STREETCAR TRACKS
If a street is wide enough for cyclists
and motorists to safely travel side by
side in a single lane, then sharows
will be painted to direct cyclists and
motorists to travel within the lane,
side-by-side.
If a street is narrow, a “use-full-lane”
sharrows are painted in the centre
of the lane, directing road users to
travel single file.
Unlike dedicated bike lanes which
have a diamond painted in them,
there is no fine for stopping,
standing or parking on a sharrow.
Use-full-lane sharrows
YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS
Learn more about sharrows
toronto.ca/sharrow
Rules for Riding Single File
According to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, cyclists may ride
two abreast, but only when there is sufficient space on the roadway
to allow faster vehicles to safely pass. If there is not enough room
for faster vehicles to safely pass then cyclists should ride single file
as far right as safely practicable. Fine: $85
Always be careful when crossing streetcar tracks,
especially in wet or slippery conditions. Always
attempt to cross streetcar tracks at a right angle.
CYCLE SAFE
At night, dusk, and dawn cyclists are required to have at
least one white or amber light on the front of their bicycle
and a red light or reflector to the rear. Fine: $20
Cyclists up to age 18 are required by law to wear a
helmet. Fine $60 Whatever your age a helmet is a
recommended way to stay safe.
All bicycles must have a working bell or horn. Fine $85
toronto.ca/cycling
Where are you going? Tell other road users by signalling
Left Turn
Alternate Right Turn
Right Turn
Stop
Parking
Enforcement
416-808-6600
BICYCLE LANE
If you see a YELLOW line, bicycle stencil and a diamond, this is a
CONTRA-FLOW BICYCLE LANE
Designated Bicycle lanes are a
dedicated part of the roadway, for
the exclusive use of cyclists. Other
road users may not lawfully drive,
stand, stop or park in a designated
bicycle lane.
"Contra-flow" bicycle lanes allow
cyclists to travel in two directions on
a street, which is one-way for all other
vehicles.
Cyclists travel in one direction in the
designated bicycle lane. When
travelling in the opposite direction,
the cyclist will travel in the mixed-use
traffic lane.
The diamond marking in bicycle
lanes is the symbol for a ‘reserved
lane’. Every lane with a diamond in
it has accompanying lane restriction
bylaws.
designated bicycle lane
The bicycle lane bylaws and fines
apply to all bicycle lanes. Blocking
a bicycle lane, even for a moment
is illegal.
Blocking a bicycle lane with your vehicle endangers cyclists.
contra-flow bicycle lane
Making a street dual direction for
cyclists using this kind of bicycle lane
can create valuable neighbourhood
connections for cyclists who wish to
avoid busy arterial roadways.
If you see a vehicle which is illegally blocking a
bicycle lane you can report this infraction to
Parking Enforcement: 416-808-6600
City bylaws are used to legislate the
direction of travel for streets with a yellow
contra-flow bicycle lane. If a cyclist travels
the wrong way in the contra-flow bicycle
lane, they may be fined $85.
Plan your bicycle trip using the Toronto
Cycling Map toronto.ca/cycling/map
Learn more about yellow bicycle lanes
toronto.ca/yellow-bicycle-lanes
No person shall operate a vehicle other than a bicycle in
any bicycle lane except for the purpose of:
1) Ingress to or egress from a private lane or driveway
adjacent to the bicycle lane
2) Making a turn at a highway intersecting the bicycle lane
3) Entering or exiting a curb lane used for parking
4) Loading or unloading of a person with a disability,
while actively engaged in doing so
5) Operating a school bus while actively engaged in
picking up or dropping off school children or
6) Operating a taxicab while actively engaged in
loading or unloading of passengers.
The fine for blocking a bicycle lane is $150
Where the white
line is dashed,
motor vehicles
may merge into
the bicycle lane
to make a right
hand turn
If you are
opening
a motor
vehicle door,
you are
required to
take check
to make
sure you will not
endanger any other
person or vehicle
(Fine $110 and
2 demerit points)
Never ride
the wrong
way down
a street
BICYCLES EXCEPTED
Blocking a bicycle lane, even for a moment is illegal
Toronto Bylaw 886-8 says Bicycle Lanes are designated for the use of bicycles only.
Position
yourself
for safety
by riding
1m from
the curb
and parked
cars
bicycle
signal
If you see a WHITE line, bicycle stencil and a diamond, this is a
The Bicycle Lane Bylaw does not apply to the
following vehicles:
A. Ambulances, police or fire service vehicles or any other
vehicle actively engaged in responding to an emergency;
or B. Vehicles actually and actively engaged in works
undertaken for or on behalf of: (1) The City, the TTC or a
public transit agency authorized to operate in the City;
or (2) A public utility, including utilities providing tele
-communications, energy, water supply or wastewater
related services.
When travelling in the
opposite direction of a
yellow ‘contra-flow’
bicycle lane, cyclists
must travel with
the flow of traffic in the
regular traffic lane
Cyclists may use
the full lane when
necessary
For example, to
discourage passing
when the lane is to
narrow to share safely,
or if there is debris,
potholes, or other
obstacles in the lane
To activate
the traffic
lights, stop
over the
dots
Cyclists must
yield to pedestrians
getting on and
off of streetcars,
stopping 2m back
from the rear doors.