Western Canada - Edmonton Thread

Didn't see one, so I'm starting it.

Is there a lobbying process for getting bike paths built/maintained/extended etc.?

For example, getting from the southside to the westside via whitemud. There seems to be bike paths that follow this corridor on the north side of the whitemud, but they aren't linked up. Will there be a pedestrian/bicycle path on the new bridge over the NSask.? How does one find out and who do we lobby?

Is this something EBC (http://edmontonbikes.ca/) works on? I couldn't find anything specific on their website.

Thanks

As a long time member and volunteer at EBC and current board member I can tell you that EBC has been very active in all the talks that have occurred during the approval process of the city's Transportation Master Plan.

EBC has been there for the past 30 years to remind our municipal government of the needs of an ever growing number of cyclists and they now seem to be listening a little more intently... the reason there will soon be 160 more racks on city buses is a result of EBC's lobbying efforts to increase multi modal transportation, you can take your bike on the LRT because of EBC efforts although we would like to see this extended to allow peak hour usage.

The excellent bike paths that follow the LRT south extension are there because of EBC's work... the city does not like to spend money on cycling facilities as much as they do freeways so they need reminders that not everyone drives.

Now that the TMP has been approved we plan to work harder than ever to see that it is implemented swiftly (30 years is far too long) and that it takes into account the needs of an ever growing group of commuters as well as the many recreational cyclists we have here.

A lot of the cycling portion of the plan is remedial and will address connection issues as this was identified as a problem... 400km of routes and not enough of them join up.

I am the current Membership Director and would like to see our membership numbers increase so that when we talk to the city they will look at the fact we speak for the more than 30,000 cyclists who ride in Edmonton every day (at least when it isn't snowing or cold) as this is something that will make them take us even more seriously.

We can always use more volunteers... especially now when we have so much work ahead of us and the task is so immense.

One of the tasks we have set is to do a massive survey of Edmonton riders to analyze needs and issues and forward these to the city... we all have our regular routes and places we go and are the best people to speak to these specific issues.

I for one am looking at a proposal for an improved 102 Ave Bikeway to bring cyclists from the west end into the city core and back and want to see better bike facilities on our east and west central corridors as they are terrible.

This is where I live and ride with my children so I know these areas intimately.

Reed - we addressed the very issue you brought up as yours is also an east west issue and something the city recognizes is an issue for non motorists as very few of us will ride the Whitemud although I can say it isn't really that bad for me... but I would not take my kids there.

Every time this city renovates a road we need to be there asking where the bike route will be as millions upon millions have been spent to improve motoring in this city and the city has built a wonderful recreational system.

But we are commuters who need to get from A to B as quickly and safely as possible and we have been overlooked for far too long.

Things will getting very noisy from our end... and we need more voices.

PM me and I will find you links to the TMP and proposed changes to our cycling infrastructure.

Thanks

I've been away from Edmonton for about 15 years, and I've definitely seen a big improvement to the downtown/southside infrastructure, cycling and otherwise. You (EBC) have done a great job.

What's the TMP?

TMP is the Transportation Master Plan which is basically a vision statement and guideline for the city to cover the next 30 years of development and growth.

http://www.gov.edmonton.ab.ca/transportation/roads_traffic/transportation-master-plan.aspx

Many of us, including a number of councillors, feel that 30 years is too long as the city has neglected to improve cycling infrastructure in favour of building more roads like the Henday and a great deal of remedial action is required.

One of the most favourable items in the TMP is a plan to stop Edmonton's uncontrolled sprawl and we need to see that the current council and subsequent councils do not deviate from this as too often they have allowed further development which has destroyed prime agricultural land.

Cycling will only continue to be a more and more popular option in this city and we need to make sure those cyclists are accommodated and can balance this with the needs of motorists as we are all concerned with how we move about the city and congestion problems only seem to be increasing.

More roads will not solve this problem... better planning and improvements to our public system will.

Thanks for the link.

Looks like I have some reading to do.

So how many Edmonton bikers are braving the early winter blast?

Last year I was on my road bike until early December. Who knows maybe it'll see a couple more weeks of service but right now the winter bike has been hastily pressed into service.

I saw a lot of folks riding yesterday but hardly a two wheeler was seen this am... thinking -10 is the cutoff for a lot of people even if the roads are clear.

I expect that I will be putting on 40k today and will be pulling a trailer for half of that distance... that should keep me warm.

I rode through the winter last year and expect to do the same this year.

This is my first winter back in Edmonton in 15 years. It's not the cold I mind so much as the wet and slush. I'll see how it goes.

I saw a lot of folks riding yesterday but hardly a two wheeler was seen this am... thinking -10 is the cutoff for a lot of people even if the roads are clear.

I expect that I will be putting on 40k today and will be pulling a trailer for half of that distance... that should keep me warm.

I rode through the winter last year and expect to do the same this year.

lol, you go without saying :p


This is my first winter back in Edmonton in 15 years. It's not the cold I mind so much as the wet and slush. I'll see how it goes.

It's all about the route (and the bike). Last year I commuted to Nisku and back, no way I was doing that in the winter. This year I'm commuting 10k in the city (with bike path options for the most part), so I'm planning on riding all year.

We should stage some survivor meetings for the end of the month during the winter cause no-one but us understands winter cycling... we need a support group.

We will be putting on winter cycling workshops and showing folks how to stud their own tyres down at EBC... we are looking at early November for these classes (which are free for members).

It's looking pretty white out there now... will have to go for a ride methinks.

I don't know if you're just looking for commuter/multi-use paths but there is an organization that is advocating for the singletrack aka "unimproved trails". The Edmonton Mountain Bike Alliance provides leadership and advocacy in the areas of building and remediation of single-track in the North Saskatchewan River Valley as well as promoting the development of mountain bike ridership.

We have had a very successful year with 5 trail days and we have put in 2 new switchbacks and recovered about 500 meters of old singletrack. We work closely with the City of Edmonton Parks and Recreation department who gives us permission as well as supplies to build the switchback.

While EMBA's focus isn't on multi-use paths, I believe that working with the city helps fosters an environment of trust and shared vision. As well, with more cycling advocacy groups coming forward the City of Edmonton may come to realize that cyclists need to have facilities and resources included in future planning.

BTW I am on the EMBA board for the sake of disclosure.

I ride all winter in Edmonton, only been here for the two previous winters though. Most of the commuters I would see in the morning on my way into downtown from Old Strathcona are gone. I agree 65er, it seems they cut out at -10C. Many of my coworkers put their bikes up in the garage when we hit that cold spot a week and a half ago.

A bunch of us braved the wind and cold today to go on a tweed ride... it was wonderful and I for one was way too warm.

The MUT connecting Terwillegar to Cameron Heights via the Anthony Henday ped bridge is open & complete. Still needs the construction mud cleaned up & the lines painted but for the most part finished.

-29.7 according to my outdoor thermometer this morning. Nice ride :p

Only Edmontonians would call -30 C a "nice ride".

We are going to start group support meetings in the new year...thinking we'll get together once a month to share survival tales and get some reassurance that we aren't completely nuts.

:lol:

Will be heading out here pretty soon myself and am thinking it is a lovely day for a bike ride... I need to change out the front brake pads as Kool Stop salmon pads don't like -30 C.

I just moved to Edmonton, it'll be nice to see what projects the EBC has going on and see the workshop as well. How are the roads typically maintained in Edmonton during the winter?

The city prioritizes the clearing of major routes and the bike paths / MUTS are often cleared by special crewsbefore the roads are... the side streets only get plowed when people complain a great deal.

Sticking to the main bus routes is a good way to get around and make good time on the roads but be careful at the bus stops as it tends to be very icy in these areas.

Only Edmontonians would call -30 C a "nice ride".

Exactly... and it was a nice ride today. A support group for us adventurous winter cyclist is a good plan. Last year I really did start to question my sanity riding when it was colder than -25C.

I was thinking that we might look at meeting up at some central location (to make it fair to everyone)...

...Last year I really did start to question my sanity riding when it was colder than -25C.

I'm seriously worried my co-workers are going to have me committed, or at the very least stage some sort of intervention.

I spent this afternoon in the company of a GMCC journalism student who is doing a piece on winter cycling and next week I'll be talking to several media people who also want to do pieces on winter cycling that will get broadcast across Canada as well as locally.

Seems that a few people are interested in what makes winter cyclists tick and how we manage to handle all this terrible weather... if this keeps up the mystical nature of winter riding will be dispelled... :)

This afternoon, the nice young lady could not keep up with me as I rode and she shot pictures and this is pretty much it in a nutshell... cycling is still faster than walking, you don't get really get that cold, and you are still able to make really good time as long as the roads aren't covered with fresh snow.

I even did some off road demos in the park where the snow was nearly at to the hubs and was making it through this faster than she could walk.

I spent this afternoon in the company of a GMCC journalism student who is doing a piece on winter cycling and next week I'll be talking to several media people who also want to do pieces on winter cycling that will get broadcast across Canada as well as locally.

Sweet! It would be nice to have it more on the radar for people. Hopefully it'll coax some of the fairer weather cyclists out with us.

Right on 65er, post the article when it comes out!

I saw another commuter on the road this morning! I've actually seen this guy a few times, his commute overlaps mine for the last 2km. I see him fairly sparsely though probably due to timing (i commute at a slightly different time every morning) and route selection.

I have just talked to two other commuters on my route. And I'm not sure if they are still riding in this cold, but I do see tire tracks in the Mill creak ravine in the mornings. Monday was cold but a nice ride. I'm hoping it warms up a touch and I can get out for a mountain bike ride in the ravine soon.

And Keith a support group would be nice....somewhere with warm coffee and hot chocolate.

Also Pig_Chaser my co-workers ask me all year why I don't drive. In the winter I get looks of worry when I leave to ride home.

I saw two new cyclists today on my commute in and out. Both wearing ski goggles. Both running without front lights, and only one with a rear blinky. I really worry about those bike ninjas, one day they're going to fly into me around a corner.

After the weekend we had, I love riding in this -15/-10ish. Anyone survive this week? Or are you frozen outside on one of the MUPs

After the weekend we had, I love riding in this -15/-10ish. Anyone survive this week? Or are you frozen outside on one of the MUPs

I'm still here! I was actually quite surprised how little clothing I needed to bike the -34c on Monday. Really just an undershirt, longsleeved shirt and windproof layer on top of it.

The -2 temps last night sure made the roads soupy. Not wet (well a little) but soupy, I thought there was a fresh snowfall until I got home and saw that the walks didn't need shoveling. I guess the cars shred it up when it warms up like that.

I think -10/-15 is the ideal winter temperature range. Easy to dress for and roads conditions stay good.

I got frightened off by the big snowstorm, and then the cold snap. I've never been a winter biker before, so adapting is kind a new thing, and I don't have the best winter equipment (or, actually, any bike-specific winter gear at all). I did ride a little bit on Saturday, but only as far as the grocery store. With the better weather, though, I'm back on the wagon for my commute. Hoping for studded tires for Christmas...either that or I'll have to sit down and spend some time studding my own.

If things stayed at -10C to -15C for the entire winter I would not complain... it didn;t get warm enough yesterday to affect the hard pack and the roads got a little clearer.

Have not had any traction problems (with or without the studs) as the city has done a pretty decent job of sanding things down.

Should be a nice day for riding which is good... we are having a Christmas party down at EBC tonight and I will be slinging drinks (it's a cash bar), the DJ will be spinning tunes and it should be a rather excellent time for everyone that shows up.

If folks aren't busy you should stop by to partake in a little Christmas cheer.

The EBC party was pretty fun, it was nice to see the shop and meet a few people. Hope to drop in more often.

Just got home... the party was awesome and folks want to know when we are doing this again... :)

Just got home... the party was awesome and folks want to know when we are doing this again... :)

Hi Sixty fiver,

I went for a ride this morning and tried out my new studded tires. I bought the 294 Nokians and they are great. I just got a Surly LHT and originally the studs were for it, but it was just so damn shinny. I had to put them on the mountain bike instead. Still hoping to ride to Strathcona wilderness center and camp out but the roads are a mess. Good to hear of all the great work you guys are doing in Edmonton and I hope to drop in after the holidays and see the shop.

Cheers...MickT.

So one of Edmonton's finest jumped out at me on my commute home last night. Apparently, he thought I was a snow mobile and he was going to bust me for riding in the city limits.

You must breath really loudly while cycling....


So one of Edmonton's finest jumped out at me on my commute home last night. Apparently, he thought I was a snow mobile and he was going to bust me for riding in the city limits.

Hey, can anyone tell me about Edmonton's critical mass? Does it exist? Is it good? Where does it meet up, and what's a typical route like?

Critical Mass happens on the last Friday of each month at 5:30 - we meet at City Hall and ride out from there regardless of the weather.

I recall a January night a few years ago when it was -30 C and there were only 5 of us on the ride, but we rode.

So one of Edmonton's finest jumped out at me on my commute home last night. Apparently, he thought I was a snow mobile and he was going to bust me for riding in the city limits.

That is funny... I have freaked a few other cyclists when I pulled up behind them with the Nighthawk blazing and made them think there was a motorcycle behind them... had one guy jump a curb because he thought he was going to get run over.

Fantastic, city hall is just a few blocks east of my apartment. I'll probably show up for critical mass tomorrow as long as it isn't snowing.

Is 5 of you the smallest you've ever seen? Sometimes back in Calgary, 5 would show up to a relatively decent month like March or September :p

We'd sometimes just go have a party at the Good Life co-op instead of riding on those days, heh.

The most I can ever recall was about 75 during one of the Earth Day rides.

I see a guy go by my high rise often,rides a older mountain bike i think(too high up to really tell),has long right and left mirrors and always pulling a trailer. Really surprised me one day pulling double trailers,looked very neat and lit up quite well. He rides in most weather. Wonder if he's on here.

Fantastic, city hall is just a few blocks east of my apartment. I'll probably show up for critical mass tomorrow as long as it isn't snowing.

Is 5 of you the smallest you've ever seen? Sometimes back in Calgary, 5 would show up to a relatively decent month like March or September :p

We'd sometimes just go have a party at the Good Life co-op instead of riding on those days, heh.

The most I can ever recall was about 75 during one of the Earth Day rides.

come in June during bike month... there will be 200-300 people on the ride.

During the warmer months our rides are very well attended and the post ride rides are always a lot of fun... we often do midnight rides on a weekly basis during the summer.

Bike Month is also a blast.

Well, i'm actually moving back home now. But Edmonton's got some nice cycling aspects to it, the EBC was a nice shop and it was good to meet the people there and see how another co-op does it.

FYI: The MUT connecting Terwillegar to Cameron Heights via the Anthony Henday ped bridge is open & complete.

Hi idugboe,
I take it this trail wasn't complete in by April 2009, then? It was on the city's cycle route map back then, and my brother-in-law and I went looking for it, but ended up at the water treatment plant. Where is the start of that trail from Cameron Heights? I live not too far from there and wouldn't mind checking it out.

It's a beautiful day in Edmonton... am watching things from downtown and am pleased to see so many cyclists that are not messengers. :)

Nice to keep an eye on my ride while I work on things and have the girls give me free coffee since I fixed their heating / cooling issues. Figure with the heat set at 25 and the AC at 20 they were wasting thousands of dollars as both systems were running against each other.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/forrest2010commute3.jpg

Hey, I'm two blocks away from there! I get my morning cup-o-joe at that Second Cup every morning. I'd stop by and say hello but I'm chained to my desk today unfortunately.

Hey, I'm two blocks away from there! I get my morning cup-o-joe at that Second Cup every morning. I'd stop by and say hello but I'm chained to my desk today unfortunately.

Used to hang out here when I was a messenger and still pop down on a nearly daily basis to enjoy a cup of coffee... there are so many people out cycling today is is just awesome.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/forrest2010commute3.jpg

please tell me that the bullhorned bike on the right isn't yours.... that's the worst lock job i've seen in a while!

please tell me that the bullhorned bike on the right isn't yours.... that's the worst lock job I've seen in a while!

My bike is the shackled up Twenty and the other bike belongs to one of the messengers... this is probably the safest place to lock your bike up downtown as it is messenger central and only suicidal bikes thieves would mess with a bike that is locked up here or anywhere else in the core.

There is only one instance I know of where a guy tried to steal a wheel off a messenger's bike and when he was caught tried to take out the messenger which was probably do-able, but really stupid, because 5 more guys showed up and beat him into paste.

Another gorgeous day that rates sunscreen and a medium weight jacket... :)

Am bombing around on the Trek today, wondering why I would ever think of selling such a nice bike.