Canmore Could Be Getting A Year-Round Downtown Pedestrian Zone

What’s Happening? Canmore is floating a bold downtown vision, and the headline idea? Turning Main Street into a year-round pedestrian zone—a move that echoes Banff’s now-defunct summer experiment.

The Banff Effect. Banff’s pedestrian zone was scrapped last year after residents narrowly voted it down, citing traffic headaches and spillover into residential streets. Now, Canmore is weighing a similar plan, and opinions are pouring in.

Many Residents and Business Owners Aren’t Sold. Some say a winter closure to cars just won’t work for an aging population, tourists with mobility needs, or businesses that still struggle in the off-season. The Downtown Canmore Business Improvement Area is pushing for a phased, seasonal approach—think street festivals and summer-only closures instead of a hard pivot.

Beyond Pedestrians. The plan is part of a broader 25-year redevelopment vision: increased housing density, reduced surface parking, more green space, and better walk-bike-transit access. But the pedestrian zone is clearly the flashpoint.

What’s Next? With more than 1,300 pages of public feedback already submitted, Canmore council postponed the next reading until May 27, 2025. Expect amendments—and more debate.

Locals Vote: Should Canmore Go Care-Free on Main Street?

We asked locals where they stand on the idea of a year-round pedestrian zone in Canmore.

Out of 535 votes:

• 65% support the summer-only version

• 20% want it year-round

• 15% say scrap the pedestrian zone altogether

Below are some of the strongest responses we received.

Community Comments

• I find main street is too busy to shut it down. There are too many folks who don't bike and have mobility issues living full-time in our community. Bless those who can bike—but remember, not everyone can. With current climate conditions, evacuation and traffic are concerns. Parking is already a problem, and many visitors can’t physically manage long walks from far-off lots. Few are bringing bikes to explore town.

• Snow and ice make Main St difficult enough to drive or cycle on; walking would be even more treacherous in winter. The older population would be significantly compromised in their ability to visit local businesses. Snow removal would need major upgrades. A snow-packed pedestrian zone is a hazard and liability.

• Why don't you just save the time and hassle and LEARN SOMETHING from Banff?

• Downtown sucks in winter. I live two blocks from 8th and love it when it's closed to cars—but I avoid it when it’s open.

• Not everybody can walk to visit stores or go to the bank. When Main Street closes, feeder streets get busy. Condo buyers weren’t prepared for that. People living over the Bow Bridge have no choice but to go through downtown.

• If it goes no cars on Main St and more biking/less cars, the Town of Canmore should help citizens buy e-bikes—like Banff did with $500 credits. Car-free zones make many businesses inaccessible for those with mobility issues. Also, in a forest fire, every road is needed for evacuation.

• Summer season seems the most reasonable. Winter would be very difficult for those with mobility issues.

• We don't have the infrastructure (like parking) to make this work year-round.

• Seems pointless in winter and would cause snow clearing issues. Parking is already a problem. You can’t build a walkable tourist town around the idea that everyone arrives by bike.

• Too cold outside to sit out anyway. Maybe close for a winter celebration weekend with fire pits—like Banff.

• Pedestrian zoning discriminates against people with mobility issues. Some can’t get blue badges but still need to be dropped off near stores or restaurants.

• Gradual phasing in makes sense. Long-term, a year-round pedestrian zone should be part of Canmore’s plan. The gridlock is already hurting downtown. Out-of-town parking and expanded transit could help. Canmore is a global destination now—we need smart development.

• It’s great to attract people who might not otherwise visit Main Street.

• Not necessary in winter—it would hurt businesses and limit access for people with mobility issues.

• Extend the “summer only” concept into shoulder seasons, and add one or two winter closures like during Winter Festival. Year-round would hurt business. Just look at Banff.

• Winter closure makes no sense. Walking or biking in the cold is hard for seniors. Visitors won’t do it. Business will suffer.

• The pedestrian zone makes visiting Canmore a hassle. It used to be my favourite destination—now I avoid it. Parking is tough, and it pushes vehicle traffic into other parts of town.

• Main Street was never meant to be pedestrian-only. It’s too wide. Parking is a problem. Winters are brutal—seniors can’t be expected to walk icy sidewalks just to shop.

• Keep walkways clear and salted and maybe mobility won’t be a big issue?

• European cities have done this for decades—it creates a human, welcoming environment. Even older folks walk several hundred meters. When Canmore’s busy in summer, the pedestrian zone is lovely.

• As a business that delivers daily in downtown Canmore, it’s very inconvenient. There’s nowhere to park quickly without blocking alleys.

• Ignoring the reality that residents, seniors, and tourists all use vehicles is ridiculous. Town planning is trying to force walking and biking despite the weather.

• I’ve lived here 12 years and love the summer pedestrian zone. But outside peak season, I drive to shop downtown. Carrying packages from distant lots isn’t practical. Seasonal is the compromise.

• There has to be balance. Why not count foot traffic or check the webcams? Even now, in shoulder seasons, no one’s walking. Permanent closure would be madness. Parking for disabled residents is already far away.

• Summer-only zone makes sense—Main Street businesses should have a big say.

• Cars take up too much public space.

• It works well in Europe—even in winter!

• Downtown is tiny and there’s barely any parking. The walk zone makes it worse. Not everyone can walk. In past years, foot traffic wasn’t even that strong. Seasonal is a good compromise.

• Winter closure would reduce retail traffic. I live here full-time and wouldn’t shop Main Street in winter if it’s closed. I have a disability and can’t walk far.

• With mobility issues, I can’t walk from the bus depot to the bank without pain. My options? Change banks after 45 years or go to Banff or Cochrane.

• Canmore is making it harder for locals to support local. Sometimes it’s easier to just go to Cochrane and park.

• I am disabled and cannot use transit, bikes, or walk. Access to Main Street is essential. Wheelchairs and walkers don’t work in snow or ice.

• The patios and closed streets create a happy, inviting holiday vibe. But year-round closure makes no sense.

• Keep it pedestrian-only all summer, and on weekends and holidays the rest of the year.

• Summer-only pedestrian zone increases restaurant seating. In winter, it offers no benefit.

• It’s killing non-restaurant businesses. They’ll all move to Stewart Creek eventually.

• There are professional services downtown that people with mobility issues need access to. -40°C and ice? Not everyone can walk in winter.

• Living in South Canmore, the traffic rerouting is frustrating. Main Street isn’t attractive when closed. With taller buildings going up, the mountain views will be lost too.

• Think about the senior demographic. Many are afraid to walk in icy conditions. Tourists will keep parking in no-parking zones and never pay tickets. That’s reality.

• As a winter tourist, I wouldn’t want to walk Main Street at -30°C.

• Doesn’t make sense year-round—too cold for vendors. As a planner, I’ve seen this fail in towns like Canmore. Not fair to seniors or small businesses.

• It’s not a pedestrian zone if bikes are allowed. Bikes are vehicles. Also, we need a traffic light at Main and 8th—pedestrian crossings back up traffic onto the bridge.

• A small electric ROAM bus running down pedestrian Main Street could help—especially if it connects Spring Creek. But year-round closure will keep locals away and hurt winter business. It’s another barrier for less mobile residents.

• Before building more tourist accommodations, consider a large edge-of-town parking lot with shuttle buses. We already have ROAM—why not use it?

• Local businesses, both on and off Main Street, rely on people driving. With more retirees, that demand will only grow. Residents—not tourists—should come first.

• If Main Street becomes year-round pedestrianized, it must include heated sidewalks, sloped curbs, and accessible parking. Otherwise, it’s just exclusion by design.

• I had a store on Main Street for 15 years. Every time the road closed, our sales dropped. Don’t do it.

• It’s very hard to find handicap parking.

• Show us a Canadian example where this worked. What’s the backup plan if it fails? Will business owners be compensated?

• The town shouldn’t force a plan that radically changes downtown and hurts existing businesses. Paid parking was bad enough. Removing parking and closing Main Street? That could kill downtown.

• I hope council listens to Main Street business owners first.

• Do councillors know it’s cold in winter? People don’t want to stroll outside at -30°C.

• A year-round pedestrian zone would hurt businesses—people won’t walk several blocks in minus temperatures. It’s easier to park out front.

• Summer closures allow more patio and vendor space, which is great. But it doesn’t make sense in the winter.

• If you close Main Street, access to services for those with mobility challenges disappears. Council’s push to reduce vehicles is fine—if they actually planned replacement infrastructure. Banff built a parkade. What’s our plan? Residents need cars to get around, especially seniors. Show them respect.

• Businesses need access too. Snow clearing is already subpar—how will the town manage a whole pedestrian street?

• Summer is the only reasonable time to close the street. We don’t live in a 12-month summer. Seniors need to be accommodated. Parking is already full—where will people go?

• I hate going to Main Street when it’s open to cars. You can’t shop both sides easily and the cars ruin the vibe. Fire pits and patios would be way better. This is about more than pedestrianization—it’s about a full vision.

• Keep it summer-only. But let’s liven it up—more festivals, night markets, and events. Right now, it’s dead after 6pm.

What Do You Think?

Let us know in the comments below!