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Learn how to travel with new and existing bike routes on your bike, in your car, and on foot.
These lanes are installed on some one way streets to give bikes a dedicated lane to ride against the flow of traffic.
Painted bike lanes reserve space on the road exclusively for bikes
Protected bike lanes are on-street bike facilities protected from moving and parked cars by a physical barrier. These lanes make driving and cycling more comfortable by creating a dedicated space on the road for people to bike. Protected bike lanes may allow for travel in one or both directions.
Shared-use lanes guide cyclists and remind drivers to expect cyclists in the same travel lane.
Video: Dial S for Sharrow
Learn how to ride and drive on Edmonton’s shared-use lanes.
Shared pathways are for many activities. You can bike, walk, run and more. Some sidewalks may be designated as Shared Pathways. Watch for signs.
A complete list of shared-use sidewalks is available under Bicycle Highways on page 13 of the Traffic Listing Document.
Bicycle signals are located throughout the city’s bike network. Refer to these signals when crossing intersections. Signal timings may be adjusted as the downtown bike network evolves.
Bike-triggered crossings help cyclists cross at intersections.
Green Bike Boxes painted in a driving lane allow cyclists to do two things:
Get Behind It - The Bike Box 3 Way Intersection
Get Behind It - The Bike Box 4 Way Intersection
Bike Box Video: Turning Left on a Red
Green Bike Turn Boxes painted at intersections provide cyclists with a safe way to turn left or right. These boxes can be found in the bike lane or in a driving lane.
Note: Crossing two lanes of traffic to make a left or right turn from a protected bike lane is not permitted.
Striped green paint indicates that a bike lane is crossing an intersection or accessway such as an alleyway or entrance into a parking lot.
A raised crossing brings the level of the roadway to that of the adjacent bus stop. Transit users will be getting on and off the bus at this location.
When a shared pathway crosses an intersection, the crosswalk will be lined with white squares. These squares identify shared bicycle and pedestrian crossings and may be controlled by a pedestrian walk light and traffic signal.
The Province of Alberta Traffic Safety Act, the City of Edmonton Traffic Bylaw #5590 and the City of Edmonton contain formal regulations regarding bicycle traffic and use of transportation and parkland facilities.
Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles. They're allowed on all roads as well as shared pathways, bike lanes, and bike routes.
Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles and must obey all rules of the road. They're allowed on all roads as well as shared pathways, bike lanes and bike routes.
Bicycles are not required to be licensed or registered. A bicycle licence is not required for police officers to enforce the current traffic laws. Cyclists are accountable in the same way that motor vehicle drivers are, and may be ticketed in accordance with local and provincial legislation.
In order to make our streets safer for everyone regardless of how they move around Edmonton, the City has passed a Charter Bylaw to set minimum safe passing distances that motor vehicle drivers need to give cyclists when passing them on the road.
The required distance is a minimum of 1 metre between the vehicle and the bicycle where the posted speed limit is 60 km/h or less, and 1.5 metres between the vehicle and the bicycle where the posted speed limit is greater than 60 km/h. This change went into effect on September 30, 2021.
Cyclists should not pass between two occupied vehicles, even if they are stopped at a red light.
Use caution and be mindful of the door zone when cycling past or exiting a parked car. The Door Zone is the area along the side of a parked car where an opening door can hit and seriously injure a cyclist.
When riding in a bike lane, ride on the left side of the lane-away from parked cars. Try to look inside each parked car before you pass. If you’re unable to see if someone is inside, or if you spot someone inside, move outside the Door Zone or slow down and pass carefully.
When parked on the side of the road, do a shoulder check, over your left shoulder before opening your door to ensure there are no oncoming cyclists. Opening the door with your right hand will remind you to do a shoulder check.
Cycling on the sidewalk is not permitted except for bikes with a 50cm wheel diameter or less, such as kids’ bikes.
Standard size bicycles are only allowed on signed, shared sidewalks that are 2.5m wide or greater and shared pathways.
Where permitted by signs to use a sidewalk, always give right-of-way to pedestrians and always give audible warning of your approach.
Shared pathways and Trails are used for a variety of activities, including walking, running and cycling.
Hours of Operation: 5am-11pm daily
Parks and trails are monitored by Park Rangers, who provide bylaw enforcement and education to park users.
People on bikes are responsible for following these rules:
Cyclists are required to have certain equipment based on provincial and municipal regulations. Essential equipment when cycling:
Alberta Traffic Safety Act, Part 6 Division 5 Section 111 & 112:
By law bicycles must be equipped with adequate steering and brakes that will lock wheels on dry, clean, level pavement.
Bicycle Equipment – Part 6 Division 5 Section 113
Cyclists must sound a warning device, such as a horn or bell, before passing pedestrians on shared pathways and must always give them the right of way.
City of Edmonton Traffic Bylaw 5590 - Part III Sidewalks and Boulevards - Section 50
Alberta Traffic Safety Act - Horn, Bell - Section 60
When riding after dark, bicycles must have a front headlight, a red tail light and a red rear reflector. Reflective vests and other lightly coloured clothes with reflective tape are recommended for extra visibility.
Cyclists should consider using the following equipment to improve visibility and safety:
Brightly coloured or reflective clothing make cyclists more visible on roads and paths. Weather specific clothing will keep you warm, dry, and prepared for any temperature changes. Glasses and gloves will protect you from dust and debris. Wear a helmet with a hard outer shell and crushable, foam lining. Don’t wear headphones or earbuds: hearing traffic is an essential part of safe riding.
Trailers may be difficult for motorists to see. Use a red flag on the trailer at rider height to alert motorists of your presence.
Saddlebags, racks, baskets and small backpacks are great ways to free your hands for safe riding.
Learn how to navigate along the existing bike routes on your bike, in your car, and on foot.
Use the Discover YEG map to plan a route using Edmonton’s bike network. Edmonton’s Bike Plan aims to increase active transportation and safe and direct routes for people commuting to work, running errands, accessing the river valley for recreational trips and improved neighbourhood networks to connect people to local destinations.
Edmonton’s Safe Passing Distance Bylaw provides clear guidance for how much room people driving need to leave to safely pass people biking on the street. Visit Side By Side for complete information on the bylaw.
On-street bike routes, such as bike lanes and shared-use roadways, are specially designed facilities to support safe and efficient bicycle transportation on roadways.
Bike lanes are dashed to indicate to motorists that they may cross the bike lane for certain manoeuvres, provided they have checked and it is safe to do so.
At bus stops, the bike lane is dashed to indicate that the bus can pull across the bicycle lane, and to notify the cyclist that buses will be pulling over.
Cyclists are required to yield to stopped buses as any motor vehicle would be expected to.
Cycling on the sidewalk is not permitted except for bikes with a 50 cm wheel diameter or less, such as kids’ bikes.
Here are a few risks of riding on the sidewalk:
Some sidewalks may be designated as shared sidewalks and shared pathways. Watch for signs.
Under the Province of Alberta Traffic Safety Act, the City of Edmonton Traffic Bylaw 5590, and the City of Edmonton Parkland Bylaw 2202, all groups including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians have rights and responsibilities. More information can be found at Cycling in Edmonton. If you believe a cyclist is acting unlawfully, please contact 311 to report.
Whether we are driving, biking, walking, or using a mobility aid, we each have a role to play so we can move safely around each other. The booklet, , outlines what we can do when driving and biking.
Alberta Bicycle Association offers a variety of learning, recreational and competitive opportunities for BMX, Cyclo Cross, MTB XC,MTB DH/4X, PARA, Road, Track, and Recreation & Transport.
The Argyll Velodrome Association offers all age groups and genders riding and racing opportunities.
Bike Edmonton offers maintenance classes, cycling courses, youth and adaptive programs and operates two workshops with all the tools needed to get the job done
Offers workplace workshops that cover a basic mechanical check, recommended gear and road safety.
The City of Edmonton's Bike Safety Program offers free, drop-in Bike Safety Programs for ages 6-12 held at City of Edmonton Recreation Centres.
CAN-BIKE Canada offers a variety of bike training and online resources including an online course. There are not currently any CAN-BIKE courses in Edmonton but there are others in Alberta.
The Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society teaches people how to fix their bike and ride in traffic. You can buy a refurbished bike, or donate a disused one.
Ever Active Schools support the implementation of a variety of cycling initiatives, including safe cycling education, cycling clinics, guided rides, and bicycle rodeos as part of a school's action plan.
The City of Edmonton's Edmonton Bike Plan guides how biking fits into our city in the future and will support the City's vision of a connected, accessible city. Join their project updates to learn more.
Pedalheads offers a bike camp with eight instructional levels which take kids from training wheels to trails.
Mountain Equipment Co-op offers bike maintenance classes.
SHAPE provides encouragement and support to school communities to encourage their students to walk or bike to school. Schools can choose event days, walking programs or a weekly/month Walking Day to promote their plans.
Revolution Cycle offers bike maintenance classes.
United Cycle offers bike demos and bike clinics.
University of Alberta offers a fully-equipped community bike workshop at the University of Alberta campus.
BMX Racing Club allows riders to race as fast as they can over dirt jumps, around banked corners, and across the finish line.
Cranky's Bike Shop offers all age groups and genders riding and racing opportunities.
The Edmonton Mountain Bike Alliance offers riding opportunities for and improving mountain biking in the Greater Edmonton area.
HardCore Cycle offers all age groups and genders riding and racing opportunities.
Mud Sweat and Gears offers all age groups and genders riding and racing opportunities.
Pedalhead Bicycle Works offers all age groups and genders riding and racing opportunities.
Revolution Cycle offers a variety of riding opportunities including Women on Wheels, and road and mountain biking.
SheShreds offers groups for beginner and intermediate riders.
Women on Wheels YEG is a mountain bike club for women of all experience levels.
The Edmonton Bicycle and Touring Club is a recreational not-for-profit volunteer-run group that runs bicycling trips during the spring, summer and fall.
Cycle Logic offers all age groups and genders riding and racing opportunities, and the opportunity to ride in a group.
The Edmonton Road and Track Club offers all age groups and genders riding and racing opportunities.
The Juventus Cycling Club offers all age groups and genders riding and racing opportunities. Check out the club programs for Sprockids introduction to cycling for kids ages 8-11.
For riders 30+ years of age, the Edmonton Masters Cycling Club offers road racing opportunities and training for cycling strength.
Red Bike offers all age groups and genders riding and racing opportunities.
| Online | Contact 311 Online |
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If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311
| Telephone | 311 |
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| TTY | 711 |