Edmonton cyclists pack council chambers to defend bike lane expansion against provincial threat

More than 60 cyclists packed Edmonton city council chambers on Wednesday to defend the bike lane network against provincial legislation that could strip the city's authority to plan its own transportation infrastructure.

City manager Eddie Robar clarified that the city is not delaying its active transportation expansion plan — a rumour that circulated after provincial legislation was announced. The infrastructure committee heard an update on the city's active transportation implementation acceleration program as the dispute escalates between city hall and the Alberta government.

Speaker Brian Markley pointed to the human cost of the debate. "A few weeks ago, my mother was doored by a car," he said. "She was knocked off her bike and knocked unconscious. She is 70 years old. Bike lanes save lives. A vocal minority with a grievance culture cannot be allowed to overturn the elected mandate to save lives."

Support for bike lanes was near-universal among speakers. Even those who came to question the planned 79 Street route in Hollyrood acknowledged the lanes' benefit. Motorist Edwin Shale spoke in favour. "The more people who bike in this city, the more space we have on the roads for people who need to drive," he said. "Bikers are taxpayers and they have a right to this city as well."

Speaker Merlin Chen cited a 2019 survey finding 70 per cent of Edmontonians would commute by bike if safe to do so.

Since 2024, the city has completed 34 routes spanning 40.6 kilometres. Another eight routes stretching 8.4 km are under construction. Three routes are proceeding as planned, covering 4.3 km, and 14 proposed routes are under review, consisting of 22.7 km.

Mayor Andrew Knack expressed confidence in city planners. "More people are dying on our streets than they have in the last few years. More people are speeding significantly. I'd like to make sure we're dealing with that."

Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen countered that the province is responding to voters. "Albertans expect their government to make transportation decisions based on what works for our communities," he said. "Our government is developing legislation to make sure transportation infrastructure works for all road users. For too long, transportation decisions have been driven by ideology rather than common sense."

The province approved four projects through the Alberta Traffic Safety Fund in Edmonton this year, providing more than $216,000 for safety improvements in Silver Berry, McConachie and Edgemont. Edmonton Police Service reported that cyclist fatalities involving motor vehicles have remained consistent over the past five years — two cyclists killed in 2025, and one per year since 2021 except 2023. No cyclist fatalities have occurred this year. At least seven serious injuries involving cyclists have been reported annually since 2021.