08/17/2026
A resident has requested that we post the rules surrounding crosswalks. Please note that a cyclist is not considered a pedestrian UNLESS they are walking the bike across the road.
This is from the BC Motor Vehicles Act.
"crosswalk" means
(a)a portion of the roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by signs or by lines or other markings on the surface, or
(b)the portion of a highway at an intersection that is included within the connection of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on the opposite sides of the highway, or within the extension of the lateral lines of the sidewalk on one side of the highway, measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the roadway;
Rights of way between vehicle and pedestrian
179 (1)Subject to section 180, the driver of a vehicle must yield the right of way to a pedestrian where traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation when the pedestrian is crossing the highway in a crosswalk and the pedestrian is on the half of the highway on which the vehicle is travelling, or is approaching so closely from the other half of the highway that the pedestrian is in danger.
(2)A pedestrian must not leave a curb or other place of safety and move into the path of a vehicle that is so close it is impracticable for the driver to yield the right of way.
(3)If a vehicle is slowing down or stopped at a crosswalk or at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the highway, the driver of a vehicle approaching from the rear must not overtake and pass the vehicle that is slowing down or stopped.
(4)A pedestrian, a cyclist, the operator of a designated motorized device or the driver of a motor vehicle must obey the instructions of an adult school crossing guard and of a school student acting as a member of a traffic patrol where the guards or students are
(a)provided under the School Act,
(b)authorized by the chief of police of the municipality as defined in section 36 (1),
(c)if located on treaty lands, authorized by the chief of the police service responsible for policing the treaty lands, or
(d)if located on Nisg̱a'a Lands, authorized by the chief of the police service responsible for policing the Nisg̱a'a Lands.
Crossing at other than crosswalk
180 When a pedestrian is crossing a highway at a point not in a crosswalk, the pedestrian must yield the right of way to a vehicle.
Duty of driver
181 Despite sections 178, 179 and 180, a driver of a vehicle must
(a)exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian who is on the highway,
(b)give warning by sounding the horn of the vehicle when necessary, and
(c)observe proper precaution on observing a child or apparently confused or incapacitated person on the highway.
Pedestrians using highways
182 (1)If there is a sidewalk that is reasonably passable on either or both sides of a highway, a pedestrian must not use a roadway.
(2)If there is no sidewalk, a pedestrian using a highway must use only the extreme left side of the roadway or the shoulder of the highway, facing traffic approaching from the opposite direction.
(3)A person must not be on a roadway to solicit a ride, employment or business from an occupant of a vehicle.
(4)Except for a person who solicits a ride in an emergency situation, a person who contravenes this section commits an offence.
"boulevard" means the area between the curb lines, the lateral lines or the shoulder of a roadway and the adjacent property line;
