Elephant's Feet Crossing
Bicycle crossings using "elephant's feet” markings — lines of white squares — give cyclists the right of way to remain on their bike while crossing the road. This initiative is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to expand and support active transportation within the city.
What are "elephant's feet"?
Elephant’s feet crossings are marked by dashed white lines made up of white squares.
These markings indicate that cyclists can remain on their bikes while crossing the road, unlike standard crosswalks where they must dismount and walk their bike across.
While cyclists and pedestrians have the right-of-way at these crossings, it is important that they still exercise caution before crossing the street.
Below are signage options that indicate an elephant's feet crossing is near:
What are the benefits?
Elephant's feet crossings are designed to integrate smoothly with existing traffic systems and generally do not significantly impede the normal flow of traffic. Overall, when used properly, these crossings improve connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians while supporting efficient traffic flow for motorists. Here are a few reasons why:
| No need to dismount |
| Cyclists can ride through elephant’s feet crossings without having to dismount, which is typically required at traditional crosswalks. This makes the crossing process smoother and more efficient for cyclists. |
| Enhanced safety |
| Elephant’s feet crossings are designed with specific markings and signage that clearly indicate the presence of cyclists and pedestrians. This increased visibility helps reduce the risk of collisions involving vulnerable road users. |
| Wider pathways |
| Elephant’s feet crossings are generally wider than traditional crosswalks, accommodating both cyclists and pedestrians comfortably. This reduces congestion and allows for safer, more organized crossings. |
| Improved connectivity |
| Elephant’s feet crossings help create a seamless network for cyclists and pedestrians, connecting different sections of trails and bike lanes more effectively than traditional crosswalks. |
| Traffic signal coordination (where applicable) |
| Elephant’s feet crossings are often coordinated with traffic signals to ensure that cyclists and pedestrians cross during appropriate intervals, minimizing disruption to vehicular traffic. |
| Clear signage and markings |
| Well-marked elephant’s feet crossings with clear signage help both drivers and cyclists understand when and where crossings will occur, reducing confusion and potential delays. |
| Traffic calming measures |
| Elephant’s feet crossings can be part of broader traffic calming measures that improve safety for all road users without significantly affecting traffic flow. |
Elephant's feet locations
There are currently 12 elephant's feet crossings in Medicine Hat. View their locations on our interactive map.