Canada/Alberta Wants to Revise Municipal Bicycle Networks

The Alberta government is planning to introduce a bill this fall to review and remove bike lanes in Edmonton and Calgary. The provincial transportation minister wants to prioritize the road network in light of population growth.

Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack has expressed concern about this bill, which reverses a long-standing municipal policy, and would prefer that it not move forward.

I hate this whole dynamic that pits motorists against cyclists and pedestrians. I won’t go along with it.

A quote from Andrew Knack, mayor of Edmonton

A similar attempt in Toronto was ruled unconstitutional in the summer of 2025. At the time, the Ford government sought to ease traffic congestion in the Ontario city’s downtown by removing several bike lanes.

In its ruling, the Ontario Superior Court cited data showing the following: Reopening lanes reserved for cars will not reduce traffic congestion, as it will encourage more people to use their cars; consequently, any reduction in travel time, if it occurs at all, will be short-lived.

Last May, Minister Devin Dreeshen lamented the impact of bike lanes on traffic, stating that removing a traffic lane triggers a whole series of knock-on effects for people living in that neighborhood. According to him, the provincial government has no objection to bike lanes, provided they are built in the right locations.

Concerns Among Cyclists

Some cyclists encountered on Edmonton’s bike lanes say they’re concerned about the future of their dedicated lanes.

“I think I should have the freedom to get around as I please, and the lanes should be safe for everyone,” explains Nadia Honey as she waits for the light to cross the intersection.

“I don’t want to be in your way if you’re driving; I want to be one street over, on a quiet residential street, on a protected bike lane,” she concludes, pointing to the “ : Live Free or Drive” sticker on her bike. “That’s how I feel.”

Another cyclist, Keita Hill, believes that if the province were to move forward with this idea, it would be a major abuse of power. “I think we’ve already seen this in Ontario: it’s a municipal decision that should be made locally,” he says.

Source: ici.radio-canada.ca/