Cycling Routes and Bikeways

The City's Bikeways and Bike Lanes Map illustrates the City's bike lanes in Prince George and folds up into a handy pocket guide. It includes all of the route and sign information you will need, whether you are a motorist or a cyclist.

Pick up a free pocket-sized City of Prince George Bikeways and Bike Lanes map  from the Service Centre at City Hall or at your local bike stop.

For bikeways outside of Prince George, see the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure.

The City of Prince George also offers many kms of multi-use trails, which provide recreation and transportation opportunities. Many of the on-road bikeways connect to the off-road bike lane trails. See the City's Trails page for more details.

Other biking trails offered by external groups or organizations

• Pidherny Recreation Site
• Otway Nordic Ski Centre (trails open to mountain bikes and cycling in spring / summer)

Cyclist Trail Symbols and Signs

When biking on the many City trails, please remember to share the trail with other users, including pedestrians, joggers, equestrians, and people with mobility devices.

Follow the multi-use trail symbol and sign below:

Sign indicating trail is a shared-pathway. Yield to people walking when you're on an off-street pathway shared by people walking and cycling.

Share the road. Both cyclists and drivers have rights and responsibilities, and should respect each other's right to share the road. 

The Motor Vehicle Act and City by-laws apply to cyclists too.

Cyclists are required to:

• Wear approved bicycle helmets
• Have a front white light and rear red light, if riding after sunset or before sunrise
• Ride on the right, in the same direction as traffic
• NOT ride abreast of another cyclist
• NOT pass on the right, unless in a bike lane or passing a vehicle turning left
• NOT ride on sidewalks
• NOT ride on crosswalks
• Yield when transit buses signal their intention to pull out into traffic

Cyclists should:

• Put reflective materials on their bicycle and clothing
• Use a bell to alert others
• Ride 1m from the edge of the road or parked cars
• Choose to take up the whole lane when the curb lane is narrow
• Ride in a straight lane
• Use hand signals
• NOT make a left turn from the right side of the road
• NOT wear headphones

Hand Signals

Always make hand signals well in advance of any turn, not just when you think they are needed. First, shoulder check, then hand signal, and then, with both hands on the handlebars, shoulder check again before making the turn or the stop.

For your safety and the safety of others, when cycling on roads or trails, please use these hand signals.

A cyclist showing the proper hand signal for a left turn.

A cyclist showing the proper hand signal for a right turn.

A cyclist using the alternative hand signal for a right turn.

Stopping

A cyclist showing the proper hand signal for stopping

On a bicycle with hand brakes, the front brake accounts for up to 80% of the stopping power during abrupt braking because forward momentum puts most weight over your front wheel. For optimum stopping power, shift your weight towards the rear and try to keep your centre of gravity low and towards the rear wheel. This, in addition to using both brakes, will reduce the tendency for the rear wheel to skid and will increase stability.

It is also important to understand proper lane positioning of cyclists when turning and sharing the road.

When you approach an intersection with several lanes, choose the lane with the arrow pointing in the direction you want to go. You may get cut off by turning cars, if you are not in the appropriate lane. If you cannot make it across traffic to position yourself in the correct lane, you have the choice to dismount and walk in the crosswalk instead. It is illegal to cycle in a crosswalk.

Cyclists are allowed on all highways except designated freeways. Cyclists may also have certain restrictions on bridges or Schedule 1 highways. Events that take place on a provincial highway, like triathlons, parades, rallies, relay races, bicycle races and fundraising events require special permission.

View more information on BC Cycling Regulations, Restrictions & Rules of the Road

The City posts different signs and painted pavement markings to let you know where you can ride your bicycle safely. These signs and symbols are also useful in ensuring a safe environment for both drivers and cyclists. The sign standards for cycling are governed by the Government of British Columbia through the BC Provincial Sign Program.

Get to know these signs and symbols:

Bicycle route sign

To know you are entering or upon a designated bicycle route, look for this sign.

Diamond-and-bicycle-symbol(sign for dedicated bicycle lanes)

Motor vehicles, buses, and motorcycles are not permitted to travel or stop in dedicated bicycle lanes, unless making a right turn onto a crossing street. Transit buses may stop at designated stops indicated along the dedicated bicycles lanes.

To locate a dedicated bicycle lane, look for this sign or symbol.

Sign located on the right of road

For dedicated bike lanes, look for this sign on the right side of the road.

Symbol located on the roadway

For dedicated bike lanes, look for this symbol located on the road. Please do not drive or park in this dedicated bike lane.

Shared roadways (sharrow double-arrow sign indicates roadway is shared by bicycles and motorized vehicle drivers)

Motorized vehicle drivers: Position your vehicle according to the sign on the right side of the road. See related signs and symbols below.

Cyclists: Position yourself and your bicycle along the pavement symbol below (in the middle of the double-arrow sharrow) to safely share the road with other vehicles. See related signs and symbols below.

Symbol located on the roadway

For shared lanes, look for this symbol located on the road. Cyclists should ride in-between parked vehicles and vehicles on the road.

Sign located on the right of road

For shared roadways of motorized vehicle drivers and cyclists, look for this sign on the right side of the road. Drivers and cyclists would ride next to each other as indicated in the symbol.

Symbol located on the roadway

For shared use lanes, look for this sharrow double-arrow symbol located on the road. Cyclists and motor vehicle drivers should ride single file (one behind the other) on the road. Passing is not allowed by drivers or cyclists.

Sign located on the right of road

For shared use roadways, look for this sign on the right side of the road. Drivers and cyclists would ride single file (one behind the other) as indicated in the symbol. Passing is not allowed by drivers or cyclists.

Cyclists yield to traffic symbols

In designated areas, cyclists must yield to traffic, including buses and other motorized vehicles.

Cyclists: when you see this sign, please yield to other traffic

Transition symbols

In some cases, roadways change from having a designated bike lane to sharing the lane with cyclists and motorized vehicle drivers. In this scenario, the roadway will transition to a shared lane, and you will see the corresponding signs and symbols below.

Symbol located on the roadway

Dedicated bicycle lanes may transition to shared lanes, when there is insufficient width on a roadway. The diamond-and-bicycle symbol with the word 'ends' means a dedicated bicycle lane will end and transition into a shared lane with motorized vehicles. Cyclists and drivers: Please prepare to share the road when you see this transition sign.

Sign located on the right of road

Sign indicating a dedicated bicycle lane ends, and a share the road lane begins. Cyclists and drivers: Prepare to transition and share the road.

For the full listing of bicycle signs, visit the Government of BC's Bicycle Signs Guide.

Public Transit

The entire City of Prince George Transit bus fleet is equipped with bicycle racks and can carry up to two bikes at a time. Bicycles can be loaded onto the bus racks any time of the day.

Downtown Bicycle Parking

Free public bicycle racks are available throughout the downtown and at City civic facilities. There are many other private bicycle racks located throughout the City as well.

Bike Sense Guide

Find important tips for regular bicycle maintenance, what to use for safety equipment, and how to ride safely. View more details in the Bike Sense Guide, provided by the BC Cycling Coalition.

Bike to Work Week

The City and other businesses encourage residents and employees to bike to work. Cycling is great for providing fitness opportunities, reducing traffic congestion, and improving air quality and quality of life.

Learn more about the annual Bike to Work Week.

Cyclist Training

Consider registration in an approved cycling course, taught by licensed cycling instructors, such as CANBIKE I and II, to improve skills, knowledge and confidence on the road.

View more information on certified training offered through the BC Cycling Coalition.

View more information on CANBIKE cycling skills and programs.