As British Columbia moves to permanent year-round daylight-saving time, or Pacific Time (PCT), darker mornings will become the new normal.
Visibility and safety are important year-round, but it's especially important during these darker mornings for kids and commuters travelling to work or school.
By taking a few simple steps in advance, we can all contribute to a safer journey for everyone.
Be Informed - Road, Sidewalk, and Trail Users
- Learn, understand, and obey the rules of the road, traffic signage, and signs.
- Keep up to date with the latest safety regulations, such as:
- In British Columbia, bike lights are required by law when cycling half an hour before sunrise and half an hour before sunset, or during low visibility conditions (heavy rain, fog).
- Helmets are required when riding a bike, e-bike, or e-scooter.
- You must be 16+ to ride an e-scooter or a standard e-bike, or 14+ to ride a light e-bike.
- Currently, Bylaw No. 4225 regulates the user of regional parks and trails in the capital region.
Remember, everyone plays a part in the dark, and by practicing and taking simple steps to stay visible and alert, we can all continue to walk, roll, or take transit during these darker morning commutes – Let’s Get Visible!
Driver Tips
- Slow down, focus on the road and watch for pedestrians, especially in busy school neighbourhoods, at intersections, and transit stops.
- Give us much space as possible when following and passing pedestrians. ICBC suggests maintaining a distance of at least:
- 0.5 metre in areas with a separated and protected sidewalk
- 1 metre in areas with a maximum speed limit of 50 km
- 1.5 metres in area with speed limits above 50 km
- Turn on your headlights, reduce speed when weather is bad and visibility is low, so you can be ready to stop if needed.
- Focus on the road and leave your phone and other distractions alone.
- Be realistic about travel time, plan ahead and leave earlier to accommodate potential traffic or delays.
- Be courteous: Safely share the road with all pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter-riders, and follow road signs.
Pedestrian, Cyclists, and Scooter Riders Tips
- Be alert and aware of surroundings and watch for other road/trail users.
- Make eye contact with drivers.
- Looking down, listening to music or using your phone is a distraction, which can prevent you from seeing oncoming traffic.
- Be visible and wear light, bright, and reflective materials and add reflectors to your backpack or gear.
- Stay on the sidewalks, paths, and trails so you can be seen by others approaching.
- Be predictable and communicate your intentions by using your voice, hand signals, eye contact, or use lights and bells.
- Be courteous and safely share the road and trails. Follow posted signage, keep to the right, yield to others, mind your speed, alert others before passing.
- School Commute Buddies – there’s safety in numbers. Have kids meet up with friends and neighbours to walk, bike, roll, or bus to school. Learn more here: School Commute Buddies Pamphle-Elementary-2025-26 [PDF/1.8MB]
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Share the Trail: Regional Trail Safety and Etiquette
Learn more about Regional Trails and how to Share the Trail whether you are walking, cycling, or rolling.
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Find a Bike Map
Looking to plan your route? Visit the CRD Bike Map for routes across 13 municipalities, the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, and 10 First Nations.
