Bike Lanes

What is a Bike Box? Bike boxes are painted areas located at intersections with traffic signals, and are distinct because of their vivid green colour.

A bike box assists cyclists moving through intersections. Cyclists ride up into the box to wait during a red light. They are the first to proceed through the intersection when the light turns green.

This designated area significantly increases the visibility of cyclists, making motorists more aware of their presence. Bike boxes also make it easier and safer for cyclists waiting at an intersection to make a left turn, rather than having to weave through traffic while trying to signal.

A bike box can be found at the following intersection:

• North Park Street at Memorial Drive

How do I use a bike box? 

Cyclists should transition from the right side of the roadway towards the centre line during a red signal indication, and then proceed ahead of motor vehicle traffic on the green signal indication to make a safe left turn movement.

What is a bike lane? A dedicated portion of the roadway with pavement markings and signage exclusively for people riding bikes. Bike lanes make it easier for bicycles and vehicles to share the road. They also cut down on conflicts between cyclists and drivers, making streets safer for everyone.

Bike lanes are found on:

• Albion Street 

• Ballantyne Drive
• Blackburn Drive
• Conklin Road
• Diana Avenue
• Dunsdon Street
• Erie Avenue
• Garden Avenue
• Grey Street
• Hardy Road
• Henry Street
• Memorial Drive
• North Park Street
• Oxford Street
• Bike Lane Improvements - Active Transportation Projects

Motor vehicles are not permitted to drive or park in a bike lane.

How do I use a bike lane? Always travel in the same direction as traffic. If a bike lane ends, check over your left shoulder to be sure you can enter the lane safely, and continue cycling on the road in the straightest line possible. Remember, a bike is a vehicle and you must follow the same rules of the road as traffic.

What is a c ontra-flow bike lane ? A Bike lane designed to allow bicyclists to ride in the opposite direction of traffic on a one-way street. A contra-flow lane is a great way to remove a barrier in the cycling network by allowing cyclists to ride two-ways on a one-way road. This can make cycling more attractive and can often make the cycling route quicker than the driving route.

Contra-flow bike lanes are found on:

• Albion Street
• Ballantyne Drive

How do I use a contra-flow bike lane? You use it like a normal bike lane, except in the opposite direction of traffic. In the case of Ballantyne Drive, if you are cycling West, you are not cycling in the lane, but rather sharing the roadway with vehicular traffic. If you are cycling East then you are using the lane.

At crosswalks, cyclists are legally required under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) to dismount and cross as a pedestrian.

A crossride provides a designated space where cyclists are permited to ride across an intersection or crossing.

Crossrides are found on:

• Gilkison Street Trail
• Powerline Road Trail

What is a MUP? A paved, separated pathway for cyclists and pedestrians that runs parallel to the road. Multi-use pathways are often the chosen facility for busier streets with higher speeds. MUP's allow for a broad range of people-powered mobility uses such as: running, walking, cycling, cycling with children, rollerblading, skateboarding, wheelchairs etc.

MUP's are found on:

• Clarence Street South
• Powerline Road
• Shellard Lane
• Veterans Memorial Parkway
• Wayne Gretzky Parkway

Note: E-bikes are not allowed on any multi-use path or trail in the City of Brantford.

How do I use a MUP? Users are to keep to the right and be respectful of others—remember this is a shared space. Users are to travel at a speed appropriate for the activity level on the path; if the path is busy, please slow down. If riding a bike, remember to ring your bell to alert others that you are passing.

What are Sharrows? Pavement markings that show cyclists where to ride and remind drivers that bicyclist's should be expected in the same lane.

Sharrows are found on:

• Colborne Street East
• Oakhill Dr.

How do I use a Sharrow? Ride like you normally would on the road, and use them as a guide on where you should be positioned.

What are Super Sharrows? Super Sharrows are a similar concept to regular sharrows. They are used to remind drivers that cyclists are allowed to take the full lane if they need it and to follow patiently behind when that happens. It provides cyclists with a more prominent presence on roadways than a typical sharrow.

Super sharrows are found on:

• Erie Avenue

How do I use a super sharrow? Ride like you normally would on the road, and use them as a guide on where you should be positioned.

What is a Signed Bike Route? These are bicycle-friendly streets that have been designated for cyclists with green signs. The routes provide connections between neighbourhoods across the city and direct cyclists to low speed and low volume routes that could be comfortable for most cycling abilities. Signed bike routes may also be accompanied by a yellow “Share the Road” sign to increase awareness amoung drivers of cyclists' right to the road.

Bike routes are found on:

• Parkside Dr.
• St. George St.
• Cayuga St.
• Grand River Ave
• Wellington St.
• Morrell St.

How do I use a signed bike route? Ride on the road and follow the signs! Bike routes are great places to start if you want to become more comfortable with riding on the road.