Calgary Cycling Guide

 Where to find the City of Calgary’s mapping tool

According to the City of Calgary’s website, “The City maintains approximately 1000 km of regional pathways and 96 km of trails”. I’ve had many well-meaning family members and friends show surprise and concern over the fact that I bike all over Calgary. When you spend most of your time getting from point A to point B by car, it can be hard to imagine there are safe spaces for a bicycle to do the same. I have honestly been asked if I bike on Deerfoot trail, which I of course reply “never!”, not only because it is incredibly dangerous for cyclists and motorists, but also because it is in fact illegal. So how do you know which areas of the city are safe to take your two-wheeler? By using the City of Calgary’s handy dandy maps! 

 The City of Calgary’s pathway maps can be accessed here: https://www.calgary.ca/bike-walk-roll/maps.html#  

How to read the online mapping tool

Don’t be intimidated by the many colours displayed on the map, each colour represents a different type of path or trail. That’s right, there are five different path types which the City has rated as Most Comfortable to Least Comfortable (a nicer way of saying least risk / easiest to use to most risk / best to avoid). The map also points out important features like staircases (speaking from experience, it’s not fun to haul your bike up 50 stairs along a ridge to continue your ride), elevation (important to note for those who do not own an e-bike), washroom facilities, bike repair shops, and more! Be aware that to view the most detailed path information you should download the City’s Bike Map PDF. Let’s take a deep dive into the different paths and how to identify them.
 

A section of the Trans-Canada Trail along the Eric Harvie bridge connecting Carburn Park to Sue Higgins Park.

 Regional Pathway / Off-Street Pathways

Indicated by a red line on the map, these are the most abundant and generally the most well-maintained paths. They are often wide enough to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians and most have a yellow divider line down the centre. For those seeking a leisurely bike ride with nice views, these are most often your best option. Included among these are a couple of major connected pathway systems including the Rotary-Mattamy Greenway, a 145-km route maintained by the Parks Foundation Calgary, and the Trans-Canada Trail, famous for being the longest recreational trail in the world and connecting across all of Canada. You can almost bike the entire length of the Bow River via regional pathway in the City of Calgary boundaries. These paths also encircle Glenmore Reservoir, the Elbow River, and run through both Fish Creek Provincial Park and Nosehill Park.

A protected bike lane in the Inglewood neighbourhood.

 Protected Lane

Indicated by a dark blue line with a dark border along the edge, these are paths on a roadway that have a protective barrier to prevent vehicles from entering. These are solely dedicated to bicycles and scooters so they can provide a speedy means to travel in busy areas. Since these are located on relatively busy roads, it’s important to follow all rules of the road including obeying all posted signs, traffic lights, and watching for turning vehicles at intersections when crossing.

A designated bike route along 8th avenue SE helps to keep cyclists off the busier 9th avenue roadway. 

Community Street

Indicated by a dark blue line, by taking these routes, you will be sharing a roadway with motor vehicles. Some of these roads are very quiet side streets or even service roads that tend to have lighter traffic or wider lanes. Most if not all of these streets will have some sort of signage to indicate that bikes are welcome to ride on the road and that cars should follow behind in single file. Use caution on these roads and follow all rules of the road including obeying all posted signs, traffic lights, and watching for turning vehicles at intersections.

 

Two sections of the same painted lane in the Parkdale community, one is clear and easy to navigate, but further along the path becomes ice and gravel covered, forcing cyclists to ride closer to the traffic line.

 Painted Lane

Indicated by a thinner light blue line, these are on-road pathways that have a painted ‘lane’ on the asphalt. Some of these routes are well travelled and motorists are used to seeing cyclists in these areas, others are infrequently used and it’s not uncommon to see motorists driving or parking in these lanes since there is no physical separation from the rest of the road. In my personal experience, in the winter and spring these lanes are often partially covered in snow/ice and a large volume of gravel and grit, making them quite hazardous to ride on. Use extreme caution on these roads and follow all rules of the road including obeying all posted signs, traffic lights, and watching for turning vehicles at intersections.

The 9th Avenue SE roadway is quite busy and only a small section of that road is designated for bike use before diverting to a quieter side street.

Major Streets

Indicated by a light blue line, these are on-road pathways that may or may not have painted symbols indicating mixed use. Traffic volumes are higher in these areas and great caution should be taken. Often it is necessary to ride on these roads for short distances to connect between one path and another. Use extreme caution on these roads and follow all rules of the road including obeying all posted signs, traffic lights, and watching for turning vehicles at intersections.

A local neighbourhood pathway in Mckenzie Towne that connects various parts of the community through a central park.

Local Pathway

Indicated by a thin dark red line, these are small connector paths that create shortcuts through local neighbourhoods or cut through small parks. These paths are smaller and not as meticulously maintained as the more major routes. In the winter you will often find these paths snow-covered so be aware if you are tight for time. Some of these paths however, are maintained by local community associations and can have even more care and attention than the major routes, but that’s not something that is easy to tell by looking at the map.

 An unpaved gravel trail along a wooded area like Fish Creek Provincial Park provides a break from the City.

Unpaved Trail

Indicated by a thin brown line, as the name suggests, these trails are not paved but are either gravel or dirt trails. Fish Creek has several that are either standalone or off-shoots of the main paths. It’s important to identify these if you have a road bike with skinny tires since they may not handle well on uneven surfaces. From my experience, some of these trails are on rather steep slopes and can suffer from erosion, causing deep trenches to form. Be cautious when using these trails and be sure your bike is well equipped to handle them.

Symbols and example section on the mapping tool indicating a pathway closure and detour route.

Pathway Closures

When you are planning a ride, even in areas you are familiar with already, it’s worth checking the online map to check if any path closures are in place. Although route detours are often available nearby, it can greatly extend your ride time and distance, so planning ahead is important. The path closures are indicated by either a yellow circular symbol (active closure) or an identical grey one (upcoming closure). 

An example of paths separated by usage (cycling vs. walking) near downtown.

Separate Bike and Walking Paths

Some areas of the city (especially along the river downtown) feature paths that provide separated spaces for pedestrians use versus cyclist use. This is important for commuters to expedite travel along their route. Cyclists should use caution since these paths can be bisected by busy pedestrian sidewalks and many pedestrians are not aware of the bike paths and may not be watching for traffic. Use caution and ride at a safe speed that you can make sudden stops when required.

A screenshot example of Google Maps directions when you select a bicycle route for your trip.

Google Maps

Believe it or not, Google Maps actually has an option as part of your direction seeking tool to select for a bicycle! Overall I have had spectacular success with this and it does often choose the fastest route. Notable exceptions are when there is a pathway closure for construction (which you can check for using the City’s online map), when there are many intersections that need to be crossed it sometimes doesn’t factor in the wait time for each of these which can extend your ride, and it may suggest riding on roadways which may or may not be intended for cyclist use. I always check Google first, then verify all of the indicated routes using the City’s map to avoid any surprises. You can also see the elevation gain and total kilometers for each of the routes provided, making it easier to make the best choice for your fitness level.

 

Important City of Calgary Rules / Laws

 A diagram provided by the City of Calgary highlighting the important features that every cyclist must obtain for safe riding in Calgary. Note that if you are riding an e-bike, helmets are legally required regardless of the age of the rider. 

 

Equipment Requirements

All bicycles being used within Calgary city limits require a rear red reflector, a rear red light, a front white light, and a functional bell. The bell must be used when overtaking slower path users to alert them to your presence. If you are riding a pedal bicycle, helmets are only required for riders under the age of 18, however when riding an electric or power assist bicycle, helmets are required by everyone regardless of age.
 

Pathway Use

Bicycles are only permitted on designated pathways and roadways. When using a road, cyclists must follow the rules of the road and use appropriate hand signals. Cyclists are not permitted on city sidewalks unless they are under the age of 14. All cyclists must ride at a safe speed, to a maximum of 20 km/hr (unless indicated otherwise by local signage). When passing others on pathways, cyclists must use an auditory signal (bell) to alert them to their presence. It is a good idea to slow down as you pass since many people are listening to headphones while walking and may not hear your bell. Pedestrians walking with children or pets may not have full control and it’s up to you to consider their safety when passing. Some bike paths pass through off-leash dog parks and you may want to check maps and watch for signage ahead of your ride so you can be aware of your surroundings when passing through these spaces. Calgary is also home to a plethora of urban wildlife like deer, coyotes, skunks, etc. While riding along the river, canals, or even forested parks and neighborhoods you may encounter these animals. It is your responsibility to yield to all slower moving trail users such as pedestrians, joggers, dogs, wildlife, etc.

 Mule deer lounging beside a trail in a public park.

Winter Considerations

 A neighbourhood connector path leading to stormwater ponds in Mahogany on a beautiful winter day.

Winter is often a time when bicycles are stowed away for the season, but did you know that the City of Calgary actually clears most pathways for use all winter long? With Calgary’s mild winter climate and regular chinooks, trails can be nearly as clear as they are in the summer! With the energy exerted during a ride, you can even wear fewer layers of clothing than you normally would for outdoor activities while still staying at a comfortable temperature. The online map identifies which routes are snow cleared each season, although be aware that the trails are a lower priority than roadways so it may take a few days following a snowfall event for the trails to be cleared. It’s a good idea to invest in studded tires or a fat bike if you plan to cycle often during the winter season.

Safety Considerations

 

Calgary has fewer hours of daylight during the winter months, making it even more important to have your front and rear lights charged and powered on while riding during those times. It’s a good idea for everyone (walkers and joggers included) to get in the habit of wearing reflective clothing when travelling at night to help prevent accidents from reduced visibility (both for cyclists and vehicles). 

 

Calgary is also home to many major waterways that have a history of flooding. As a result, many paths that border water bodies have signage indicating that trails may become flooded during times of high water levels. Be aware of your surroundings and watch for water on low elevation trails.

 A multi-use pathway in the New Brighton community.

We hope you get outside and enjoy our beautiful city year round! For more information about cycling and walking in Calgary, check out the City’s website: https://www.calgary.ca/bike-walk-roll.html