Durham Region says misuse of reserved bus and bike lanes can lead to Highway Traffic Act charges

Drivers who use reserved bus-only or bicycle-only lanes in Durham Region when they are not permitted can be charged under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, the Region says.

Durham Region says the lanes are treated as a traffic control device and are intended to improve safety for cyclists, drivers and pedestrians. The Region says reserved lanes are marked with overhead diamond signs, ground-mounted diamond signs and pavement markings.

Bus-only lanes are reserved for public transit vehicles, including Durham Region Transit buses and GO Transit buses. Durham Region says the lanes are meant to help buses move through congested areas and stay on schedule.

Motorists are prohibited from using bus-only lanes. Vehicles are allowed to enter a bus-only lane to access a driveway or to turn at an intersection by safely merging where the white lane markings are dashed.

Motorists are required to exit a bus-only lane “as quickly as possible when it is safe to do so,” Durham Region says.

Bicycle-only lanes are reserved for cyclists. Power-assisted bicycles, including e-bikes and electric scooters, are allowed in bicycle-only lanes if they have a maximum speed of 32 kilometres per hour.

Personal mobility devices, including wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs and medical scooters, are not allowed in bicycle-only lanes, according to Durham Region.

Durham Region also notes that buses may pull to the curb in the bike lane to pick up and drop off passengers. The Region says buses must pull to the curb so an accessibility ramp can reach the sidewalk.

The Region reminded cyclists to watch for buses pulling to the curb and to be mindful of buses when exiting cycling lanes to turn left.