Stay alert on our streets, sidewalks and school zones as students of all ages head back to class next week, and people return to work after summer vacations.
COQUITLAM, B.C., August 28, 2025 – Stay alert and aware on our streets, sidewalks and school zones as students of all ages head back to class next week and people return to work after summer vacations.
Community safety is a shared responsibility, and every person driving, walking, biking or riding a scooter must follow City of Coquitlam bylaws and BC Motor Vehicle Act laws.
Be Bright. Be Seen. Be Safe.
- Slow Down – The speed limit is 30 km/h in school zones (8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on school days). In playground zones, a 30 km/h speed limit is in effect every day from dawn to dusk.
- Park Smart – Do not stop or park within a crosswalk or within six metres of a crosswalk — sightlines must be maintained.
- Quick Stops Only – Pickup/drop-off zones are for a maximum of 3 minutes while actively loading or unloading passengers provided it is safe to do so. Stopping in a pick-up/drop-off zone for other reasons is illegal.
- Yield Every Time – People walking and rolling have the right-of-way at all intersections. Drivers, cyclists and other micromobility users must yield to pedestrians at all intersections, regardless of whether they have pavement markings, signs or traffic signals.
- Stay in Your Lane – Use crosswalks, bike lanes, and multi-use pathways.
- Leave your Phone Alone – Do not participate in distracted driving — leave your phone alone while driving, and stay alert for children walking, cycling or riding a scooter.
With active transportation options gaining popularity, it is more important than ever to share our streets safely and respectfully. For more safety tips when walking, cycling and driving, please visit our Sharing Our Streets webpage.
Changes along Guildford Way in City Centre
Coquitlam has recently made street improvements along Guildford Way in the City Centre leading to an increased amount of people on bikes and scooters. This corridor is also busy with peoples walking, biking and scooting to a number of schools, Glen Elementary, Douglas College and Pinetree Secondary, and to and from the Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station.
There is no right turn on red for drivers at three intersections along Guildford Way (and at other intersections in Coquitlam) — drivers turning right must wait for the green arrow or light. Drivers turning left must also wait for a green arrow.
People riding e-scooters should consider refreshing themselves on the rules and etiquette of riding safely.
Back-to-School Education and Enforcement Visits
Coquitlam Bylaw Enforcement and RCMP will be increasing their presence around school zones throughout September. Officers will be ramping up education and enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Act and Street & Traffic Bylaw to support public safety.
City Centre Construction Impacts
There are two long-term projects underway on Pipeline Road affecting traffic patterns from Guildford Way to Robson Drive. Residents who live in the area should plan extra time when traveling to and from home. Use alternate routes when possible to avoid delays, and obey all traffic control personnel, signs, and construction speed limits.
Stay up to date on road work and construction projects that can affect traffic patterns on our Traffic Hot Spots webpage. To sign up to receive Traffic Bulletins via email alerting you to road work impacts, visit our NotifyMe webpage and scroll to the bottom and select Road Work and Construction under News Flash.
Media contacts:
Sarah Bird
Acting Senior Manager Bylaw Services
bylawenforcement@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3580
Thomas Thivener
Manager, Transportation Planning
epw@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3500
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.