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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 will be located throughout the Downtown 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 to cross at intersections.
Green Bike Boxes painted in a driving lane allow cyclists to do two things:
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 and the City of Edmonton created the cycling laws that help protect cyclists and others who share transportation facilities.
The Province of Alberta Traffic Safety Act, The City of Edmonton Traffic Bylaw #5590 and The City of Edmonton Parkland Bylaw #2202 contain formal regulations regarding bicycle traffic and use of transportation and parkland facilities.
Edmonton’s network of paths are shared by many users. We can keep our paths safe by showing courtesy and respect to all users. The following tips will help ensure that all path users have a safe and enjoyable experience.
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.
Cyclists must ride as close to the curb as is safe and only ride in single file except when passing another vehicle. When cyclists and motorists pass one another, give each other space -- 1 metre (3 feet) is best.
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 50 centimetres wheel diameter or less, such as kids’ bikes.
Standard size bicycles are only allowed on signed, shared sidewalks that are 2.5 meters 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.
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. The bike infrastructure that makes up these routes may include protected bike lanes, painted bike lanes and shared roadways. Bicycles are permitted on any road in Edmonton.
Indicate the shared use of a roadway between motorists and cyclists.
Are for bicycle use only, lanes are identified by a solid white line with a diamond symbol and bicycle.
Have a physical barrier separating the bike lane from moving and parked cars. These lanes can be either raised to the level of the sidewalk, or will have a physical barrier making biking and cycling more comfortable. Protected bike lanes may allow for travel in one or both directions.
The Downtown Bike Network is 7.8 km of protected bike lanes, shared pathways and shared roadways helping to lower traffic within Edmonton’s core. The network reaches within two blocks of many destinations providing cycling opportunities for all ages and abilities to travel to different events, festivals and locations in Downtown.
You can also use the Bike Rack Map to find out where you can lock up your bike.
Cyclists may use a contraflow bike lane to travel against vehicle traffic on a one-way street. An example of this is can be found along the 83 Avenue from 96 Street to 99 Street, where vehicle traffic is one-way flowing east.
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.
The bike lane is dashed before intersections, allowing the motor vehicle to move to the right to make a right turn.
At some intersections, there will be breaks in the protective barrier to allow cyclists to merge out of a bike lane and into the driving lane in order to make a left or right turn.
Motor vehicles may cross the bike lane when turning into accesses or driveways along the roadway, or when parking is permitted between the curb and the bicycle lane. Motorists should first check for cyclists in the bike lane and cross only when it is safe to do so. Motorists cannot stop, park or encroach on the bike lane.
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. When a bus is at a bus stop, the cyclist should either wait behind the bus or legally pass it on the left by making a proper lane change. The cyclist should not pass the bus on the right as they may run into people getting on or off the bus.
Cycling on the sidewalk is not permitted except for bikes with a 50 cm wheel diameter or less, such as kids’ bikes.
Some sidewalks may be designated as shared sidewalks and shared pathways. Watch for signs.
All groups including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians have governing regulations. Cyclists are vehicles and have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles. There is enforcement in place, as well as educational programs to help users to follow the law.
To ensure roads can accommodate motorized vehicles and bicycles, permanent parking bans will be set up in areas along bike routes where there is limited roadway width. These parking bans are required to help the operation of the bike lanes.
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