Skip to main content
City of edmonton logo City of edmonton logo

Please choose between the following three options:

Skip to main menu Skip to site search Continue to current page menu and content
MENU
  • 311
  • Jobs
  • Contact

Main navigation

Activities, Parks & Recreation
Attractions & Events
Business & Economy
City Government
City-run Projects & Plans
Driving, Cycling & Walking
Home & Neighbourhood
Programs & Services
Transit (ETS)

Parking Ban

Street sweeping parking bans run Monday to Friday from 7am to 5pm in scheduled areas. Find your neighbourhood schedule and sign up for notifications.

Transparent

The breadcrumb trail links represent the path to the current page relative to the homepage link.

Home
Driving, Cycling & Walking
Cycling in Edmonton
  • Bicycle Parking
  • Shared Micromobility Program
  • Bike Maps and Routes
  • Bike Routes - How To
  • Edmonton Bike Plan
  • Shared Pathways
  • Winter Cycling
Winter Cycling

Winter Cycling

Main page content begins here

Edmonton's Strategic Plan, the Bike Plan and The Bike Plan Implementation Guide lay the foundation for a network that is accessible and predictable for people of all ages and abilities and where people can choose to bike for any reason and in any season.

Winter Cycling in Edmonton

Be Safe, Be Prepared

There’s something very special about a community that embraces the unique winter season we all share. Follow a few tips and tricks to keep you rolling when it’s snowing!

Dress For the Conditions : Suit Up

  • Layer up! Wear a waterproof, windproof and breathable outer layer, a warm moisture-wicking inner layer and long underwear.
  • Keep your extremities warm with good gloves or mittens, socks and boots.
  • Heat escapes through your head. Cover it up, but be sure your helmet will fit over top.
  • Keep the snow and wind out of your eyes with goggles.
  • Tuck in your scarf so it doesn’t get caught.
  • Avoid wearing glasses, watches, jewellery or zipper pulls - they can get cold enough to give you frostbite.
  • Bring water to stay hydrated and a snack for extra energy to stay warm.

Ride to the Conditions: Cycle Smart

  • Cycle more defensively and anticipate problems.
  • Slow down and pedal smoothly while watching out for other vehicles on the road.
  • Make eye contact with drivers to ensure you are seen.
  • Keep your head up and scan the route ahead while evaluating the road condition directly in front of you.
  • Avoid quick turns and leaning too much into curves.
  • Stay in a straight line - avoid over-steering or weaving.
  • Brake early and slowly, primarily using your rear brakes.
  • If conditions deteriorate, hop on a bus or LRT. Most City buses have bike racks and bikes are allowed on the LRT during off-peak hours. See Bikes on ETS.

Prepare and Maintain Your Bike: Get in Gear

  • Consider a single gear bike or dedicated winter bike.
  • A back fender can keep the slush off, but it can also trap snow and ice if it is too tight-fitting.
  • To minimize possible rust, clean your bike often.
  • Clean and lubricate your chains, brakes and cables.
  • Good tires can improve traction. Install studded or knobby tires, slightly deflate your tires for added grip and choose wide tires.

Required Equipment: Stand Out

If you bike in the dark in Edmonton, your bike must have:

  • A white headlamp
  • A red tail lamp
  • A red rear reflector

Recommended: Consider adding a light to the back of your bike. Extra LED lights can also be mounted to your helmet or handlebars. Add reflectors such as vests, straps, tape or plastic pieces to your bicycle or clothing.

Active Pathways Snow and Ice Clearing

The City will make its best efforts to plow and remove snow in bike lanes after the end of a snowfall. To view the schedule for bike lane snow removal, visit the Active Pathways Snow and Ice Clearing Map.

The City will make best efforts to plow and remove snow in bike lanes after the end of a snowfall. Each active pathway in Edmonton is assigned a priority level; 1, 2 or 3: 

  • Priority 1 is cleared in 24 hours
  • Priority 2 is cleared in 3 days
  • Priority 3 is cleared in 14 days

Edmonton’s New Winter Priority Loop
Priority 1 Bike Lanes now create a connected loop that is cleared within 24 hours for winter travel. The winter priority 1 loop includes 3 bridges, river valley trails and a staircase. The route was selected to provide uninterrupted safe and reliable travel connecting bike lanes north and south sides of the river. 
 

Active Pathways Snow and Ice Clearing

This map shows all sidewalk and multi-use pathways cleared by the City.

View Map

Using Bike Routes

Learn how to travel with new and existing bike routes on your bike, in your car, and on foot.

Bike Maps & Routes

Plan your trip with a map of routes, parking, and current disruptions.

Traffic Safety

Edmonton's goal is Vision Zero: zero traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2032.

Trails and Pathways

Edmonton has more than 160 kilometres of maintained multi-use trails. Go for a leisurely stroll, enjoy a bike ride or inline skate through Edmonton's beautiful river valley.

Cycling in Edmonton

Bike routes are open year-round. Learn how to navigate by car, bike, or on foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the bike lanes cleared while the driving lanes aren’t?

Different staff and equipment are used to clear protected bike lanes so clearing them does not slow down road clearing efforts.

How does the City clear the bike lanes?

If the bike lane is at least 3 metres wide you can expect to see a street sweeper, a truck with a front mount blade or a broom to plow to bare pavement. The largest piece of equipment that fits in the bike lanes is a snow blower mounted on a piece of heavy equipment that can blow all the snow into trucks to be hauled away. Wherever the bike lanes are reduced to less than 3 metres, smaller equipment, such as skid steer loaders or tractors will be used. You may also see a truck with a liquid tank that can apply anti-icing material.

Is it the law to have a light on your bike?

When riding after dark, bikes must have a front headlight, a red tail light and a red rear reflector.

Do I need to take care of my bike differently during the winter?
  • To minimize possible rust, clean your bike often
  • Clean and oil your chains and cables
  • Good tires can improve traction
  • Install studded or knobby tires; slightly deflate your tire for added grip; and choose wide tires
  • A back fender can keep the slush off clothes
  • You may also consider a single gear bike or dedicated winter bike
What can I do if I start biking and the weather conditions get worse?

If conditions deteriorate, hop on a bus or LRT. All City buses have bike racks and bikes are always allowed on the LRT. 

Bikes On ETS

Who do I contact if a bike lane is not cleared or if I have questions about snow removal?

If you have concerns about snow and ice management, please contact 311.

Related Documents

Keep Rolling When It's Snowing

Winter Cycling Guide

Cycling on Sidewalks Factsheet

Contact Us

Winter Maintenance

Telephone  In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton:  780-442-5311
TTY 780-944-5555
Edmonton Intranet logo
The City Plan

Our strategic direction to make Edmonton a healthy, urban, climate resilient city that supports a prosperous region.

Transforming Edmonton

Stories about bringing our city vision to life.

Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  Pinterest  Twitter  Youtube

Footer

  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Open Data
  • Safety and Security
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy

 

Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.

© 2025 City of Edmonton. All rights reserved.