I am researching an ebike purchase. I would like to be able to tackle any path/trail that our river valley offers (including single track dirt trails) and then have enough energy for the arduous climb back out of the river valley. I am interested in a "light" ebike (eg. Turbo Levo SL, for example) BUT will I regret purchasing an ebike with only 50 nM torque....or should I be opting for a 70 nM or 90 nM ebike?

Your thoughts?

Does anyone know if the city clears the Rundle-strathcona science park foot bridge? I emailed my counselor but I suspect an answer to my question will be weeks away. Are any of the other foot bridges not cleared throughout the city by this point? I wonder if the ownership of snow removal responsibilities is a point of contention between COE and Alberta parks who runs the land on the other side.

I know the City of Edmonton has maps but I don't find it completely accurate, so I started one to see if it takes off and help people decide if they want to ride and what deviations they want to make with their usual route. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1k4u1OyCNkBEMREj5eUlzoNt5dpFHiZA&usp=sharing

Red = not cleared

Yellow = partially cleared or cleared with hazards like windrows

Green = cleared

Black = no data

I'm fairly well versed with the northeast and north central areas but I'm hoping to get some contributors to help with a crowd sourced map with the other quadrants. Just DM me your Google account and I can add you. I'm going to work on adding all the known SUPs, protected bike lanes, and painted bike lanes. Every significant snow fall, I'm going to change all the colours back to black until it's visually verified.

The official City of Edmonton map (https://gis.edmonton.ca/portal/apps/instant/minimalist/index.html?appid=48c0bbdc20ad423f88d120eefa93709d) has largely turned green but I'm going to check on my way home from work.

I've been cycling for over a decade in this city.

Ive ridden of shared use paths that are now being turned into off leash areas, or that I've more so noticed it recently.

For example 111st, Saddleback road, 91st, etc.

Literally things that do not make sense as dog parks and only cause conflict within the population.

Does anyone know how this happened?

Why does the city planners believe it's a good ideas to be mixing off-leash dogs and Multi-use path users?

I am completely baffled by the snow clearing on the 106 St bike lanes. Does anyone know what's up? This is my third year commuting year-round down 106 St and the snow clearing has been truly abysmal. I actually wonder if whoever clears these bike lanes has a personal vendetta against cyclists.

There are huge mounds of snow left in the middle of lanes (usually right where they curve to allow for street parking). Some parts aren't cleared at all. Huge windrows somehow in the middle of the bike lane. Tire marks (maybe from the snow clearing vehicle?) in some parts of the bike lane and then a tiny strip of bare pavement where you can actually safely cycle. The hilly section near Mount Pleasant cemetery was cleared so badly today that I had to get off and push.

I see how nicely 83rd ave gets cleared and I cry a little with jealousy. I don't want my commute to feel like a mountain biking championship!

https://www.cp24.com/politics/queens-park/2024/11/25/doug-ford-government-passes-law-to-limit-bike-lanes/

Let's make sure this doesn't happen here.

Has anyone else noticed that there's no option for Separated Bike Lanes to request maintenance on the 311 app anymore? I have called and written in to request it's returned but anyone who wants to support me would be appreciated! Another 311 app mystery is there is no option for Snow Removal under "Issue" for Shared Use Pathways requests. Again, any support with contacting 311 to get this added would be great!

Will I die riding out there today without winter tires?

ETA: I opted to walk instead & that sucked but I definitely wouldn't have been able to ride. sigh

I'm considering accepting a job offer that will have me working at Seventh Street plaza downtown. They told me there isn't a bike cage in the parkade, but there are bike racks.

Anyone have any good intel on bike parking there? Are the racks safe? Is there better bike parking nearby (I'll pay for it if necessary)?

Does anyone have any thoughts on smaller, studded tires (35mm on a trek FX disc 2, in my case) vs a mountain bike or fat bike for a winter commute? I was fine with my 35mm tires last winter but don't love how much any depth of compacted snow can push your back wheel around as you ride. On the other hand, obviously it takes significantly more effort to ride in the snow even with my smaller tires, I imagine a fat bike would be even more laborious to ride?

I saw some other tire prints out there, I know some of you got out and enjoyed the powder today. I have determined as of today "Turbo" mode is banned until further notice.

Biked in from St. albert today where the paths and sidewalk are garbage and low and behold cross the yellowhead and the 127th st cycle path is clear and mostly ice free. might be there was less snow and the crew got to it in time but it is awesome. kudos to City of Edmonton for winter maintenance of infrastructure.

This is my first year owning a bike. Will storing it in an unheated shed during the winter damage it at all? Sorry if that's a stupid question but I know temps can plummet and I don't want to wreck my bike.

Thanks!!

I ride along 83^(rd) Ave’s great bike infrastructure and I see so many cyclists who totally disregard the stop signs at 4-ways. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the “Idaho stop” but what I’m seeing is folks who never consider stopping, and never yield to traffic order as a result. I have to assume they just don’t care, and aren’t mis-using the Idaho stop concept, because if it’s the latter let’s set a better example. Last week I saw a school-aged kid nearly get hit rolling through a backed up 4-way at "chapters" with cars waiting in 3 directions. Seconds later some numpty on their bike rolled right through past all the mayhem the kid just created. I was stunned.

If we’re doing these rolling stops right, the cars shouldn’t care or be impacted by our actions. If someone’s there ahead of us walking/driving/riding you stop and yield the right of way. It's that easy isn't it? We're at the point along this path where cars come to these 4-ways and won't move as I'm approaching now, which slows everyone down.

Are you one of these folks? Am I out of touch? I'm quite happy to be old man shouting at clouds here but I don't think I'm wrong on this one.

Will it change? unlikely, we're a fair ways down the path of let's all be assholes to each other, but I remain hopeful in humans.

I have never biked in the winter before, and barely ever did prior to this summer. I currently have a Giant Transend 2012 hybrid bike, and I am curious whether you lot have any recommendations as to what I should do to prep for the winter? My commutes are 5 minutes to and back from work everyday via bike, so those are really not that much of an issue - at least not compared to the once a week commute I have in the winter where I have to bike for about 20 minutes to and from somewhere specific for a series of appointments. What should I do? or is winter at it's nastiest still far enough for me to keep ignoring that stuff? I have 700 x 35c tires, btw.

I am strongly considering it just to get it out of the way

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Hello, I just recently bought my first road bike and want to get as many rides in before the snow hits. I am looking for some routes around 40-60km preferably with as little stop lights and stop signs as possible.

Just rode through elk island for my first long ride and while it was great. I can not justify paying the entry fee multiple times a week. But am looking for something similar. Any suggestions?

I love the new traffic light on 97 st that allows me to cross Whyte ave! It has sensors so the light changes automatically as you approach. Much better than riding on 96 st with the cars and having to dismount to press the pedestrian button.

Has anyone biked the high level bridge already today? Just wondering what conditions are like. Debating about riding or not, thx!

How many people here hit pause on their bike commute during the winter months? I’m gearing up for my potential first winter commuting and I really don’t want to stop!

https://preview.redd.it/d1odch8siktd1.jpg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ab2e8b357a7021bdbfa8b905f415437c24876841

I took a moment to capture the (late) early morning vibes on my way in to work. It's so gorgeous, and I'm grateful this is how I get to work and back.

Happy travels all.

Relatively new bike commuter here. I have been using the river valley but as the winter approaches and I want to keep riding without the steep incline and switch backs, I have started to wonder about fox drive. I have literally never seen a cyclist on it and am wondering what people’s thoughts/experiences with it are? I used it once in the summer and it was fine but it wasn’t at a peak time.

Amazing day to be out, the Valley is full of colours.