Each town or city may have its own rules about where you can ride your bike. If you are not within town or city boundaries, they you have to follow the rules under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act. The best and easiest rule is to simply understand and obey the signs. Here is a brief overview: Streets: Generally, bicycles are allowed on streets (including highways). Some towns or cities may ban bicycles on certain streets for safety reasons. Check local bylaws to determine if there are any bans. Both Edmonton and Calgary have also developed extensive bike networks for cyclists. Sidewalks: Some towns and cities in Alberta do not allow bicycles on the sidewalks. Both Calgary and Edmonton ban riding on sidewalks but have exceptions for children and sidewalks where signs allow riding. Calgary adds a further exception for anyone delivering newspapers. Red Deer allows bicycles on sidewalks unless there are signs saying otherwise. Crosswalks: Riding a bicycle in a crosswalk (using the crosswalk as a pedestrian would) is not specifically banned by the Traffic Safety Act or its regulations and is not banned by city bylaws in Calgary or Edmonton. As with all things, when you are on a small bicycle amongst the big cars, common sense is important. If you appear unexpectedly in a crosswalk, drivers might not see you. Take care for your own safety. Also, when you are on a bicycle in a crosswalk, you are a vehicle, not a pedestrian. You may not have the right of way over other vehicles as a pedestrian would. Parks and pathways: Towns and cities may make further rules about biking in parks and on separated pathways, including speed limits. In Calgary, the speed limit is 20 kph on pathways! Outside of cities: To ride on private land or leased Crown land, you must have permission from the owner or lessee. The rules around riding on non-agricultural crown land or in parks are complex and vary with ecological conditions in the area. You should stick to designated trails, obey all signs, and, if in doubt about whether you should be there, check with a local authority. Last Reviewed: June 2019