Whether A Toronto Cyclist Can Follow A Pedestrian Signal

As of April 2019, Quebec's Highway Safety Code permitted cyclists to cross intersections on the pedestrian walk signal rather than to wait for traffic signals to turn green. This change was designed with the intent to make cyclists more visible to cars as a way to ensure cyclist safety. In 2021, 137 fatalities involved pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and moped riders. On top of that, the number of accidents involving cyclists in 2021 was 1,459. Quebec took a pro-active approach to prioritize cyclists and pedestrians who were vulnerable on the roads, but what about Toronto cyclists? According to the Canadian Automobile Association and Statistics Canada, around 7,500 cyclists are seriously injured each year. In addition, between 2006 and 2017, 890 cyclists died in Canada, with an average of 74 deaths per year. By permitting Toronto cyclists to follow pedestrian walk signals, this could make cyclists more visible to motor vehicle drivers and therefore better ensure