PedestrianCanada

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Canada. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


55. Pedestrian

A pedestrian is a person travelling on foot along or across a road, street, path or other public space. Depending on local traffic law, people pushing bicycles, wheelchairs, strollers or certain other small devices may also be treated as pedestrians.

Pedestrians normally use sidewalks, footpaths and pedestrian areas where these are available. When crossing a road or walking where no suitable pedestrian facility exists, they must follow the applicable crossing rules, traffic signals and other local traffic regulations.

Pedestrian
Pedestrian WALK and DON'T WALK signs on 23rd Street. (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada)
Wikimedia.org • SriMesh • CC BY-SA
What is a pedestrian?

A pedestrian is primarily a person travelling on foot. Local traffic laws may also treat people pushing bicycles, wheelchairs, prams or certain other devices as pedestrians.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 20–21 and 27(4); international framework subject to national law

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section D, reserved/shared facilities; sign-system reference

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany, StVO section 2(4)–(5)

Which side of the road should pedestrians walk on when there is no pavement?

This depends on the country's traffic rules. Many countries require or recommend pedestrians to face approaching traffic, but the exact rule varies.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 20–21 and 27(4); international framework subject to national law

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section D, reserved/shared facilities; sign-system reference

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany, StVO section 2(4)–(5)

Do pedestrians always have priority at a pedestrian crossing?

The exact priority rule varies between countries. Drivers are commonly required to give way to pedestrians using or entering designated crossings, but pedestrians must still obey traffic lights and avoid entering the road dangerously.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 20–21 and 27(4); international framework subject to national law

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section D, reserved/shared facilities; sign-system reference

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany, StVO section 2(4)–(5)

1 Canada 2 Freeway 3 Speed limit 4 Advisory speed 5 Bike path 6 Pedestrian warning 7 Bridge 8 Speed bump 9 Toll road 10 One-way traffic 11 Bus lane 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Yield 16 Roundabout 17 Road narrowing 18 Crosswalk 19 Railway crossing 20 Mandatory direction 21 Turn prohibition 22 School area 23 Crossing animals 24 Slippery road 25 Rockfall 26 Curve 27 Wrong-way driving 28 Road work 29 Height limit 30 Weight limit 31 Radar speed sign 32 Selective barriers 33 Priority at the next intersection 34 Traffic signals 35 Traffic signals ahead 36 Pedestrian lights 37 All-way stop 38 Emergency telephone 39 No parking 40 No stopping 41 Parallel parking 42 Disabled parking 43 Traffic management 44 Backing up 45 U-turn 46 Detour 47 Uncontrolled intersection 48 Road surface 49 Emergency lane 50 Provisional licence 51 City limit 52 Road closed 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Pedestrian 56 Bus 57 Police 58 Ambulance 59 Taxi 60 Tailgating 61 Pothole 62 Path 63 Particulates 64 Air pollution 65 Rush hour 66 Road code 67 Reversible lane 68 Street gutter 69 Cargo bike 70 Forestry vehicle 71 Construction vehicle 72 Semi-trailer truck 73 Trolleybus 74 Speed pedelec 75 Delivery vehicle 76 Idling 77 Tow truck 78 Four-wheel drive 79 Bicycle 80 Motorcycle equipment 81 Rail track 82 Travel trailer 83 Trailer 84 Tow hitch 85 Fire truck 86 Siren 87 Convoy 88 Emergency vehicle lighting 89 Agricultural machinery 90 Electric bicycle 91 Electric vehicle 92 Pedelec 93 Quadricycle 94 Microcar 95 All-terrain vehicle 96 Van 97 Recreational vehicle 98 Scooter 99 Trikke 100 Personal mobility device ...