Alberta Targets Bike Lanes. Will Banff & Canmore Be Next?

What’s Happening? Alberta’s transportation minister wants to rein in city bike lanes, claiming they worsen traffic. But in towns like Banff and Canmore, where cycling is central to local planning and lifestyle, that argument doesn’t hold much traction.

Big Talk in Big Cities. Minister Devin Dreeshen has suggested that if Calgary or Edmonton won’t remove bike lanes that “impede vehicle flow,” the province might step in. Ontario tried something similar in Toronto, but a court struck it down, ruling there was no evidence bike lanes caused congestion and removing them could actually make roads less safe.

How It Hits the Bow Valley. Banff and Canmore are going in the opposite direction. Banff’s Transportation Master Plan sets a goal to shift more trips to walking, biking, and transit, partly because the town simply can’t fit more cars. Over 50% of local trips already happen without a vehicle. Canmore aims for 20% bike mode share in key corridors by 2030 and has built a network of “comfortable cycling routes” to support that goal.

Why It Matters? In the Bow Valley, bike lanes aren’t political, they’re practical. They help residents commute, shop, and access nature. The nearby Legacy Trail is a key connector, and even outside town limits, cycling demand is clear: a 2020 Parks Canada/CPAWS survey of Bow Valley Parkway users found 87% were “extremely satisfied” with the car-free experience. While the province positions bike lanes as a problem, the Bow Valley sees them as part of the solution.

Locals Vote: What should towns like Banff and Canmore prioritize more?

Out of 247 votes, 78.95% said that active transportation, such as bikes, walking, and transit, should be prioritized.

Many residents support active transportation, citing safety, environmental benefits, and tourism appeal. Several praised Canmore’s trail network and called for more investment in cycling infrastructure and transit.

But others pushed back—hard. Common concerns included:

• Loss of vehicle lanes on major roads like Bow Valley Trail and Railway Ave

• Reduced accessibility for seniors, people with disabilities, and winter drivers

• Bike lanes being underused during colder months

• Infrastructure not keeping up with population growth and new developments

Themes That Emerged

• Safety First: Many agreed that safe infrastructure for all modes—cars, bikes, pedestrians, strollers, and scooters—is critical. But what that looks like in practice varies widely.

• Seasonal Reality: Several noted that bike lanes make sense in summer but aren't feasible year-round.

• Tourism Tensions: Locals feel the pressure of over-tourism and traffic congestion, especially with limited parking. Some suggested permits or shuttles for visitor vehicles.

• Growing Pains: Canmore’s current infrastructure, several said, is buckling under the weight of development, with traffic, construction, and access issues making daily life harder.

Community Comments

• Don’t prioritize either, just don’t impede either. Most valley residents are capable of deciding what type of transportation works best for a given trip. Good vehicular access is necessary for our economy and for safety reasons.

• For drivers, the downside of sharing space with safe walking & cycling infrastructure is arriving slightly later. For pedestrians and cyclists, removing that infrastructure could be fatal. It’s not Us vs. Them—most cyclists are also drivers. Safe pathways benefit everyone: strollers, wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, runners, bikes.

• It’s a complex question. Winters are harsh, and people with mobility issues need cars. Let’s not be isolationist. Perhaps visitors apply for online day or multi-day parking permits for designated lots—maybe outside the park. Car shares could help. This issue isn’t going away.

• Cyclists don’t follow rules and no one enforces that.

• It’s just common sense: practical, better for human health, and eco-friendly.

• Too much congestion with vehicle traffic. These are tourist towns—walking zones make way more sense.

• I love biking in warmer months, but I don’t support narrowing roads and making it harder to drive during colder or wetter days.

• Other European countries are adding more bike lanes. Alberta wants to go backwards to please the oil industry. Get out of the car and walk or bike!

• All places where people live should prioritize bike lanes. Vancouver did it, and it works. We need to start somewhere.

• People with mobility issues need to park close to where they need to go.

• Love the bikes, walking—our environment needs it and so do we!

• We’ve compromised safety by adding bike lanes. Bring back 2 lanes for cars in each direction.

• Bike lanes attract tourists. Try doing errands or shopping by bike in Canmore—good luck. Tourists arrive by car with bikes just to have fun, often ignoring traffic rules.

• Banff’s infrastructure for cyclists is lacking. Canmore at least has pleasant bike paths. Banff’s bridges and pathways are chaotic in summer.

• We retired to Alberta because of the biking infrastructure. Visiting seniors are blown away by the walking/biking trails. Active transportation should be the priority.

• People with mobility challenges are being pushed out and made to feel unwelcome.

• Legacy Trail works because it’s away from vehicle traffic. But when bikes and cars mix, cyclists often ignore signage and create danger.

• Show me the data. Bigger places improved quality of life and traffic flow by prioritizing active transit.

• Seniors and tourists need parking. Electric shuttles could help.

• ToC has gone overboard with bike lanes. It’s not feasible in off-season or for service-based businesses.

• More e-bike rebates for all residents—not just affordability program participants.

• No need to elaborate, it’s just common sense.

• It’s too congested here. Tourists should apply for entry via lottery. Building Three Sisters and tripling the population is madness.

• We don’t have space for more cars. Public transit should be prioritized. Locals mostly walk or bike—planning should reflect that.

• Banff should prioritize bike lanes and transit. But Canmore needs parking solutions first. Also, bike lanes should be two-way and on one side.

• Government should encourage cycling and mass transit.

• Walkable and bikeable communities with good transit benefit everyone—locals and tourists alike. Keep building on that.

• I want more bike lanes, but separate from vehicle roads.

• Raising parking fees isn’t a fair way to reduce vehicles in Banff and Canmore.

• Europe is far ahead of North America in prioritizing biking and walking. This isn’t just about CO2—it’s about health and lifestyle.

• Tourism has made driving hard. Bikes have become essential for errands in Canmore.

• Bikes already go the speed limit in downtown Canmore. We need better flow and realistic parking—not ageist planning.

• Three reasons for bike lanes: safety, the environment, and health.

• Canmore’s bike lane usage data seems off. 8-foot-wide pink paths are rarely used in cold seasons. Roads like Bow Valley Trail and Railway Ave are now clogged. Residents are stuck in traffic.

• More wide paths to accommodate both cyclists and walkers. Rail travel from Calgary or even gondolas could help.

• These towns are overwhelmed with tourism. Why turn the Bow Valley into a parking lot?

• The question is simple: do we want to move forward or backward? Give people time to adapt to walking, transit, and biking.

• This is why people live or visit here—to be outside, not stuck in traffic. If you want to drive everywhere, stay in the city.

• Every town should prioritize walking, biking, and transit. Canmore hasn’t actually improved access lately—Legacy Trail access is blocked by construction and dangerous intersections.

• A beautiful section of Legacy Trail is gone due to a fire break. Fallen trees are still there. Did the fire break even help?

• 10th Street access is blocked due to construction. It’s the main route downtown.

• New development on Three Sisters Parkway is starting. It’s unclear how it will affect flow.

• New builds are too close to the road. There’s no room for sidewalks or safe cycling paths along 10th Street or Bow Valley Trail.

• Canmore’s infrastructure isn’t keeping up with development. Congestion is worse than ever.

• Winter makes things harder—limited snow removal, limited parking, and even more dangerous travel conditions.

• The mountains are being lost to development. The town’s flow and charm are being chipped away.

• One of the biggest reasons to live or visit here is being able to walk, cycle, and enjoy the mountain views.

What Do You Think?

Let us know in the comments below!