Last Updated on March 26, 2023 by Igor Karni
The city of Edmonton, which is located in the province of Alberta, is the fifth largest city in Canada. Nicknamed “Canada’s Festival City”, Edmonton is home to many natural landscapes, manmade attractions, and festive annual events that draw many visitors to this vibrant locale.
If you’re interested in exploring Edmonton by electric bike, this article will help you plan and answer any questions you may have before embarking on your trip!
E-biking rules in Edmonton
E-bikes are not only allowed in Edmonton, but they are permitted in all areas where traditional bicycles are allowed. As such, they can be ridden on bike lanes, shared paths, shared streets, and parklands in the city.
However, cyclists should be aware of the speed and motor limits for electric bicycles, per the city and province’s regulations. The maximum motor output must not exceed 500W and cannot travel faster than 32 km/h (20 mph). Additionally, fully operable pedals are required for a vehicle to be classified as an e-bike.
While cyclists are not allowed to ride on all sidewalks, they are allowed on sidewalks that are designated as shared-used sidewalks. Shared-use sidewalks, which are indicated as such through signage, are usually 2.5m or wider and are shared by cyclists and pedestrians.
When it comes to buses, trams, and trains in Edmonton, here are a few things to know. First, the public transit system is called the ETS (Edmonton Transit Service). Buses are equipped with bike racks at the front of the bus, and bikes can also be taken onto the bus itself. Trams are known as LRTs (light rail tracks), where bicycles can be taken on as well. Cyclists can also take their bikes onto the trains. However, be aware that e-bikes cannot be ridden while on these vehicles.
Read also: Best known electric bicycle brands in Canada. And, Rules & regulations for traditional and speed e-bikes in Canada.
Is Edmonton e-bike friendly?
Yes, Edmonton is known to be a very bike and e-bike friendly city! A robust cycling infrastructure, which includes protected bike lanes, paved and unpaved trails, and shared roadways, means that there are plenty of routes to choose from.
For cycling lanes and routes in Edmonton, view Edmonton’s interactive Discover YEG Map where you can toggle the “Bike, Walk, Roll” feature to see all applicable trails. If you’d prefer a printable version, you can access Edmonton’s Bike Map here. If you’re interested in exploring areas near and around the city of Edmonton, view Bikemap’s resources here.
And if you’re interested in taking an e-bike tour while visiting Edmonton, If you’re interested in taking an e-bike tour, Revolution Cycle offers an Edmonton River Valley Tour in either 2-hour or 5-hour increments!
For charging stations, there are a number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations within the city. Locations can be found through resources and apps like Canadian Automobile Association, ChargeHub, Flo, and PlugShare.
Because the city is so well organized for cycling, there are various bike parking locations throughout Edmonton. Bike racks are typically found in major commercial areas such as Whyte Avenue, Jasper Avenue, and near businesses and institutions. To locate these bike racks, an interactive map can be found on the official city website here!
Lastly, you can rent your e-bike while visiting Edmonton from a few different companies! These include Pedego Electric Bikes – Edmonton, which offers hourly, daily, and weekend rentals; Edmonton Bike Rentals, which offers per day rentals; and River Valley Adventure, which offers hourly and daily rental options.
Read also: Check out Canada’s best travel destinations by electric bike.
How is the weather and city traffic in Edmonton? Is it fun to ride an e-bike in Edmonton?
In the city of Edmonton, cyclists should be aware that rush hour traffic normally occurs between 7AM – 9AM and 2:30PM – 6PM each day. If you’d like to avoid this traffic, we recommend riding outside those hours.
The warmest and best time to visit Edmonton is during the summer months between June and August. Days are long, hot, and sunny, with nights being milder, and events like the Edmonton Heritage Festival, Animethon, and K-Days taking place at these times. However, accommodations get booked up quickly during this season, so be sure to plan in advance.
While autumn is still pleasant, it does bring cooler weather and sometimes snowfall in the later seasonal months. The Edmonton International Film Festival also occurs during this time, and accommodations tend to be less busy.
Read also: Can e-bikes help climb steep hills? And, How safe are electric bikes?
We recommend avoiding visiting Edmonton in the winter months, as the climate is typically very snowy, icy, and cold.
According to tourists and cyclists, Edmonton is a great city to explore on an e-bike, with plenty of natural and manmade sights to explore. West Edmonton Mall, Fort Edmonton Park, Muttart Conservatory, Art Gallery of Alberta, and Elk Island National Park are just a few of the most popular attractions to check out.
Visit Trip Advisor for more recommendations on things to see while in Edmonton! Visit Booking.com if you would like to book a room.
Edmonton city landscape, the best type(s) of e-bikes to ride in this city
The city of Edmonton includes many diverse landscapes for bike riders, with cycling routes ranging from flat to hilly, uphill to downhill, as well as paved and unpaved trails to ride on. As such, we recommend planning your routes in advance so you know which type of e-bike to choose.
For paved and relatively flat routes, a city cruiser or commuter e-bike will work perfectly! However, if you’re planning to venture out onto unpaved routes, hillier routes, or long tours, you may want to use a hybrid e-bike to comfortably tackle the varying terrain.
Read also: How to select the best cruiser e-bike? And, How much does a good cruiser e-bike cost?
Where can I buy an e-bike in Edmonton?
If you’re looking to buy an e-bike in Edmonton, there are many companies you can visit!
For e-commerce stores that sell e-bikes, check out Radpower Bikes, Electrified Mobile, Revolution Cycle, Vamoose Cycle, and United Sport, where you can view an extensive range of e-bike options and get them shipped to you.
For physical stores within the city, you can visit Edmonton ATV Pros, Crankys Bike Shop, Redbike, and EBike Edmonton, as these are all popular and top-rated options. Keep in mind that some companies, such as Redbike, offer a click and collect option where customers can shop online and pick up their e-bike in person!
Read also: Why are electric bikes so expensive? And, Does it make sense to buy the cheapest electric bicycle?
Where can I repair an e-bike in Edmonton?
Most companies that sell e-bikes or provide rentals also offer e-bike repair services. Out of the previously mentioned companies, this includes Pedego Electric Bikes – Edmonton, EBike Edmonton, Crankys Bike Shop, Vamoose Cycle, Revolution Cycle, and Edmonton ATV Pros.
Where can I recycle e-bike batteries in Edmonton?
If you are looking to recycle your e-bike batteries in Edmonton, there are a number of battery recycling locations that can be found through the Canadian Call2Recycle program.
Locations in Edmonton, which are listed on the program’s website, include Interstate All Battery Centre, Costco Wholesale Canada, Princess Auto, ListenUp! Canada, and Home Depot #7227. Visit the Call2Recycle website linked above for more location information!
Edmonton city programs to develop cycling infrastructure
The city of Edmonton has stated that one of its ongoing top priorities is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As such, Edmonton encourages walking, biking, and taking public transit to reduce environmental impact, and has created a Bike Plan to create a more accessible network and foundation for cyclists. Not only does the Bike Plan aim to invite people of all ages and abilities to cycle in the city, but it also strives to make bicycling possible all year round.
With the first three phases of the Bike Plan complete, the project is currently in its final stage, which is the Implementation Approach.
Read and learn more about Edmonton’s Bike Plan here!
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Igor is a sustainable mobility and green energy advocate. His mission for Easy E-biking is to help make electric cycling simple, practical, and fun. Follow him on Facebook and LinkedIn.
