Hi Sean, At an intersection, are cyclists, including e-bikes and escooters, actually allowed to proceed on the walk signal when the overhead light is still red? Thanks.

Great question. No. A pedestrian walk signal doesn't give a cyclist permission to ride through the crosswalk, regardless of what the traffic light is displaying. In Ontario, the Highway Traffic Act specifically prohibits riding or operating a bicycle within a pedestrian crosswalk. Section 144(29) applies to crosswalks at intersections, or other locations controlled by a traffic control signal system. There's a similar prohibition under section 140(6) for riding within a pedestrian crossover. So even when an intersection has an advanced pedestrian walk signal while the traffic signal remains red, a cyclist can't ride through with the pedestrians. The walk signal is for pedestrians. A cyclist using the roadway must obey the traffic signal applicable to roadway traffic. Alternatively, they can dismount and walk their bicycle through the crosswalk. Once dismounted and walking, they're a pedestrian and can proceed according to the pedestrian signal. The same principle applies to a compliant e-bike, and to an e-kick scooter where it's legally permitted and treated as a bicycle. Of course, there's a separate issue with e-bikes and e-kick scooters that don't comply with the law, or are being used in jurisdictions where they aren't permitted in the first place. Toronto's prohibition on e-kick scooters is a good example. But for purposes of your question, the simple answer is: you can't ride a bicycle through a crosswalk. If the roadway signal is red, you wait. If you want to use the pedestrian walk signal, dismount and walk. The set fine for riding a bicycle in a crosswalk is $110, with no demerit points. Sean