A reader from Vancouver asked me where the rules came from for bicycle lanes and signs as they could not be found in the provincial driving manual, Learn to Drive Smart.
Included in the e-mail was a link to the City of Vancouver’s website that showed a collection of signs and markings that are now in use on the city streets there. I didn’t think that this was going to be a tough question!
I went to the Manual of Standard Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings for British Columbia. Surely I would find everything there.
I couldn’t, so I e-mailed the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and asked. The lady who responded pointed me to the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) who she advised were responsible for setting the standards.
TAC’s documentation is titled Bikeway Traffic Control Guidelines for Canada and must be purchased.
Being resourceful (and thrifty) I searched the title on the Internet instead. I was able to find a number of useful links that are listed with this article on the DriveSmartBC website.
So, if you are curious about what those “new” signs and pavement markings require you to do as either a driver or a cyclist, my best advice at this point is to check out the City of Vancouver’s website.
It seems to be the most comprehensive of the free resources. I can summarize for you, keep your lane discipline, watch out for each other and exercise courtesy when you meet.
For more information on this topic, visit www.drivesmartbc.ca. Questions or comments are welcome by e-mail to comments@drivesmartbc.ca. Tim Schewe is a retired RCMP constable with many years of traffic law enforcement experience. His column appears Thursdays.
