COQUITLAM, B.C., September 4, 2026 – As students head back to class next week and many people settle back into regular work and commuting routines, Coquitlam’s streets, sidewalks and school zones will soon be busier.

Whether driving, walking, cycling, taking transit or using an e-scooter, everyone has a role to play in keeping our streets safe. The City is reminding residents to slow down, stay alert and watch for others, particularly children and families travelling to and from school.

With many transportation improvements made in recent years, and infrastructre projects completed over the summer and still underway, road users are reminded to adhere to Provincial Motor Vehicle Act regulations and rules in the City's Street and Traffic Bylaw. Community safety is a shared responsibility, and the tips below are important guidelines to keep everyone safe.

Share Our Streets Safely

Whether driving, walking, cycling or scooting:

• Stay focused and leave your phone alone.
• Follow all signs, signals and pavement markings.
• Slow down and watch for children and families, particularly around schools, intersections and driveways.
• Make eye contact with others before crossing or proceeding through an intersection.
• Give people walking, cycling and scooting plenty of space, and yield at crosswalks and cross-rides.
• Use bike lanes, sidewalks and multi-use pathways as intended, and be considerate when passing or sharing space with others.

Around Schools

• School zones are in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days, with a speed limit of 30 km/h unless otherwise posted.
• Drivers should use designated pick-up and drop-off areas, avoid stopping in bike lanes or crosswalks, and keep intersections and sightlines clear.
• Families can also help reduce congestion by walking, cycling or scooting to school, or parking a few blocks away and walking the remaining distance.
• Remember that e-scooter riders must be at least 16 years old and wear a helmet.

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.

Back-to-School Education and Enforcement Visits 

Coquitlam Bylaw Enforcement and RCMP will be increasing their presence around school zones throughout September to help educate students and parents, and to enforce the Provincial Motor Vehicle Act and Street and Traffic Bylaw to support public safety. 

Construction Impacts

Drivers and all road users are reminded to be mindful of and take into account road work as City crews and contractors continue to work during warmer/drier weather bringing transportation and infrastructure improvements to the community. 

Please watch for work crews and equipment, obey all traffic control personnel and signs, including construction speed limits, and use alternate routes to avoid delays. Below are projects that will affect traffic on key routes. 

• David Avenue and Pipeline Road - Intersection Safety Improvements 
• Johnson Street and David Avenue - Intersection Safety Improvements 
• Dewdney Trunk Road between Locarno Drive and Cawthra Court - Metro Vancouver Water Main, single-lane alternating traffic
• Como Lake Avenue between Blue Mountain Street and Thermal Drive - BC Hydro Transmission Line Project

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:

Aaron Hilgerdenaar
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.