Driving Regulations For Motorcycles (and others)

The following are selected portions, taken directly from the Alberta Highway Traffic Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 1980, Chapter H-7 with amendments in force as of May 17, 1995. It contains the current laws, within the Province of Alberta, regarding driving regulations for Motorcycles. This listing is current as of the date of publishing of this document. There may be requirements in addition to those listed below. For additional information, contact:

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police

"K" Division

11140 - 109 St. Edmonton, Alberta

T5G 2T4

Canada

(780) 945-5424

Speed in School Zones and Playground Zones:

Section 72 
(1) In this section "school zone" and "playground zone" mean a zone on a highway 
      identified by a traffic control device as an area where children
           (a) may be expected to be on the highway, or
           (b) are permitted to cross the highway at a designated point along the highway. 

(2) On any day on which school is held, no driver shall drive with a school zone outside an urban area at a rate of speed greater than 40 kilometers per hour at any time between
           (a) 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. 
           (b) 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 
           (c) 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. 

(3) On any day on which school is held, no driver shall drive within a school zone within an urban area at any rate of speed greater than 30 kilometers per hour between
           (a) 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. 
           (b) 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 
           (c) 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. 

(4) No driver shall drive within a playground zone
           (a) at a rate of speed greater than 30 kilometers per hour if the zone is within an urban area, or
           (b) at a rate of speed greater than 40 kilometers per hour if the zone is outside an  urban area, 

     between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and one hour after sunset. 

(5) No driver shall pass or attempt to pass a vehicle moving in the same direction as he is in a school zone or a playground zone when the speed limit prescribed by subsection (2), (3), or (4) is in effect. 

(6) If a school zone or playground zone is identified by a traffic control device capable of  showing rapid intermittent flashes of yellow light as provided in section 108(5), then subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to the zone, and subsection (4) does not apply to the zone except when the rapid intermittent flashes of yellow light are being shown.

Driving near Center Line 

Section 74 
(1) Subject to the other provisions of this part, on a highway outside an urban area  where there are two or more traffic lanes on the same side of the center line for vehicles traveling in the same direction, a driver shall not drive in the traffic lane  nearest to the center line unless he is driving at or near the maximum speed  permitted. 

'U' Turns

Section 92  
(3) In an urban area a driver shall not turn his vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction 
         (a) on a roadway between intersections,  
         (b) at a place where a sign prohibits making a U-turn,  
         (c) at an intersection controlled by a traffic control signal,  
         (d) at an alley intersection, or 
         (e) at any other intersection unless the movement can be made in safety.  

Stopping Before Entering A Highway

Section 97  
(1) In this section "street" means a street within the meaning of the Public Highways Development Act.  
(2) A driver about to enter on 
       (a) a primary highway or street from a road, service road, alley, or driveway, or 
       (b) an alley or road from a driveway, shall, unless the intersection of the 2 roadways is marked with a "yield" sign or a "merge" sign bring his vehicle to a stop.  
       (c) before entering on the intersecting roadway and at a point no further than 3 meters from the intersecting roadway 
       (d) if there is a marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, immediately before entering the crosswalk 
       (e) if there is a marked stop line on the near side of the intersection, at the stop line. 

School Busses 

Section 105 
(1) In this section "school bus" means a vehicle on which are displayed the words 
      "school bus" 

(2) Where an school bus is displaying alternately flashing amber lights, the operator of a vehicle approaching the school bus shall. 
        (a) when approaching the school bus from the rear, if the school bus is on a highway  
              that is divided by a median into 2 separate roadways, or 
       (b) when approaching a school bus from the front or rear, if the school bus is on a highway that is not divided by a median into two separate roadways, 
             reduce the speed of the approaching vehicle so that if the approaching vehicle passes the school bus it does so in a cautious manner. 

(3) Where a school bus is displaying alternately flashing red lights, the operator of a vehicle approaching the school bus shall, 
         (a) when approaching the school bus from the rear, if the school bus is on a highway that is divided by a median into two separate roadways, or 
        (b) when approaching the school bus from the front or rear, if the school bus is on a  highway that is not divided by a median into 2 separate roadways, 

stop the approaching vehicle before it reaches the school bus. 

Right Turn on Red Light  

Section 109  
(1) When a red light alone is shown at an intersection by a traffic control signal, the driver if a vehicle approaching the intersection and facing the red light  
       (a) shall stop immediately before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of  the intersection or, if there is no such marked crosswalk, then immediately before entering the intersection, and  
       (b) shall not proceed until a traffic control signal instructs that he is permitted to do so, but, unless a traffic control device prohibits a right turn from being made at the red light, he may turn and proceed right at the intersection if he first stops and yields the right of way to any pedestrian in the intersection and any vehicles in or approaching the intersection.  

Use Of Lights

Section 111   
(2) No motor cycle or moped shall be in motion on a highway at any time unless the  lamp or lamps with which it is required to be equipped are alight.   

Bicycles and Motorcycles - Definition

Section 143   
In this part,   
     (a) a "bicycle" means any cycle propelled by human power on which a person  
           may ride,  regardless of the number of wheels it has;   
     (b) "cycle" means a bicycle, a motor cycle, or a moped.   

Riding in Single File:

Section 148   
A person operating a cycle on a highway  
     (a) shall not ride to the side of another cycle traveling in the same direction, but  

     (b) shall ride directly in line to the rear or front of the other cycle  
           except when overtaking and passing the other cycle.   

Safety Helmets:

Section 149   
(1) No person shall operate a motor cycle, a moped or power bicycle unless he is wearing  a safety helmet securely attached to his head.   
(2) No person shall ride as a passenger on a motor cycle, moped or power bicycle unless he is wearing a safety helmet securely attached to his head.   
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to the operator or passengers of a motor cycle which is manufactured with a cab that encloses and protects the operator and  passengers.  
(4) No person shall operate a motor cycle, moped or power bicycle on which a   
      passenger is riding unless the passenger is wearing a safety helmet securely  
      attached to his head.