Why Edmonton Edmonton’s path to healthier, greener travel options

For Kriti Lamsal, cycling is a way to unwind while exploring Edmonton. She likes to bike for fun and as a way to spend time with her family.

“Cycling gives me a sense of freedom and the ability to explore the community where I live,” she says. “It also improves my physical fitness, reduces my stress, and it’s an eco-friendly way of getting around.”

Lamsal and Edmontonians will have more routes to choose from, with the addition of about 86 kilometres of new bike paths and shared pathways across the city over the next three years.

The City of Edmonton is planning to develop and upgrade approximately 60 routes as part of a larger plan to create a network of critical connections for people walking, rolling and biking, or what is also referred to as “active transportation.”

Three people biking in a row in a bike lane with on a tree lined street.
New routes coming 

To improve these connections, the new routes will fill missing links in Edmonton’s active transportation network.

“We’re excited to fill in about half of the network in the bike plan guide over the next three years,” said Christopher Wintle, City of Edmonton Project Manager, Transportation Planning and Design.

“We want people to be comfortable walking and riding, no matter where they live. By developing more active pathways, we’re helping more people connect to the active transportation network from anywhere in the city. It’s not about replacing cars, but giving people more choices for how they move around as our city grows.”

Ariel shot looking down at people walking and cycling near Edmonton's river valley with lucious trees are framed by the North Saskatchewan River on the right.

In 2024, construction will begin on 10 shared pathways throughout the city for people to walk, jog, bike, scoot, push a stroller or use a mobility aid. In total, these new routes will add approximately 17 kilometres to the City’s bike network.

The 2025-2026 schedule boasts approximately 50 routes, which will include protected bike lanes, shared pathways, local street bikeways and painted bike lanes (where existing painted lanes are being extended).

An online map of the proposed routes is available. A few key connections include:
North:
  • A permanent bike lane on Victoria Park Road from 116 Street to Groat Road.
  • A new route on 113 Street from 105 Avenue to Kingsway Avenue and extending north to 122 Street, connecting Unity Square Centre in Wîhkwêntôwin (formerly Oliver) and Blatchford.
  • A new route along 112 Avenue from 76 Street to 92 Street, connecting Commonwealth Stadium and Borden Park.
West:
  • A pathway from Westridge Road along Wolf Willow Road extending to 69 Avenue and 178 Street, connecting Westridge Park and the Callingwood Park area including the Lois Hole Branch of the Edmonton Public Library.
East:
  • A new route on 72 Avenue from 98 Street to 100 Street and extending along 100 Street up to 83 Avenue, adding a missing link that will connect the shared roadway on 97 Street to the protected bike lane along 83 Avenue.
A woman on a blue bike smiles at the camera on a shared use pathway near a park.
Edmonton resident Kriti Lamsal rides a bike on a shared pathway.

We’re adding kilometres to the active transportation network, but it’s not just about adding pavement—it’s about adding people. Having dedicated infrastructure will encourage more people to choose to bike, which will make the network, and the city, more vibrant.

Lamsal says dedicated pathways are an important part of making riding safe. “Safe and dedicated pathways reduce the risk of collisions and ensure a secure environment for cyclists, pedestrians and individuals with disabilities.”

To further support safety, the City also offers programs to help Edmontonians of all ages learn how to build their confidence and comfort while cycling. This summer, the Bike Education Street Team will be hosting guided ride-alongs to help people safely navigate around Edmonton’s active pathways.

“We want people to be comfortable walking and riding,” said Jenny Albers, General Supervisor, Parks and Road Services. “The ride-alongs are a great way for people to learn about our active transportation network, build their confidence levels, and be more comfortable riding their bike. It’s also a great way to have fun, meet new people, and experience all the great shared pathways and bike lanes that Edmonton has to offer.”

Keep an eye out for activities, resources and events throughout the summer, including:

• City-guided Rides: hosted rides across Edmonton

• City Joy Rides: offline maps of cycling routes and loops from 7 to 40 km

• An online map of local businesses who are offering discounts or promotions to people cycling to their establishments during June.

Three people cycling in the river valley with skyscrapers in the background.
Learn more

The Active Transportation Network expansion is guided by Edmonton’s City Plan. The plan outlines the vision to create a city that thoughtfully connects citizens to the people, places and things that matter to them most.

Find out more about the Active Transportation Network or cycling opportunities

Visit edmonton.ca/ActiveTransportation