As Edmonton continues to advance its Active Transportation Network Expansion, progress has been slower than anticipated. With several ongoing projects now past their mid-point in the construction season, it’s essential to assess both the progress made and the challenges ahead. While the city remains optimistic, there are significant concerns about the potential impact of delays, upcoming elections, and broader political influences. This update not only evaluates current progress but also looks ahead to the next steps, while highlighting the risks and opportunities that lie in the coming months.

TLDR:
In July 2025, several active transportation projects were assessed across Edmonton, with minimal progress visible on many routes. Key projects like Victoria Park Road, Happy Beer Street, and Allendale Road showed little activity, while others like Wagner Road had some construction underway. The $100M Active Transportation Network Expansion, which aims to add 82km of bike lanes, has faced delays due to unforeseen challenges. Looking ahead, there are concerns about political risks, quality of infrastructure, and the City’s ability to meet its modal share goals. Active participation from the community is needed to push for high-quality, well-maintained bike lanes, with several ways for citizens to get involved, including supporting bike-friendly candidates and engaging in city surveys.

Keep Reading to Learn More about:

• Victoria park Road, Happy Beer Street, Allendale Road, Wagner Road
• 112 Ave, 114 Ave, 118 Ave, 119 Ave, Fort Road, 50 Street , 153 Ave, and 66 Street
• 113 Street, Kingsway Ave, 23 Ave (near Century Park), and Callingwood area
• Millwoods Projects and 111 Street
• What is the $100M project?
• What's Happening Next
•  Summary and How You Can Get Involved

July 2025 Check-In

We visited several sites over the course of a week at the end of July, 2025. This is roughly 50% of the way into the construction season (which runs May to Oct 15, weather permitting). Though this has been a rainy year, there has not been any inclement weather that seems like it should have interfered with those seasons construction projects.

So, let’s check in to see where the City is at!

On July 29, we visited the following sites, and we posted updates here:

• Victoria Park Road, which has been a summer street for the last few summers, which was still the case, and there was no sign of construction or preparation for construction. This location is going to a Protected Two-way Bike Lane (which we love!), see the photos here.
  

  

• Happy Beer Street - no sign of construction or preparation. This project will feature a Protected Two-way Bike Lanes that transitions to an On-street Shared Pathway (we are not sure what that is). You can see the photos here.
  

• Allendale Road - the only sign of any construction we saw was the Alberta One Call utility flagging. This project will see a Shared Pathway on Allendale Road from Calgary Trail to 105 Street that becomes a Local Street Bikeway (we hope this is a good Bikeway and not just a Shared Street) on 63 Avenue from Allendale Road to 106 Street. You can see the photos here.
  

• Wagner Road, from 75 Street to 86 Street, was the only site with visible construction activity. The demolition of the boulevard and roadway was in progress to prepare for the installation of a Shared Pathway, likely a raised sidewalk alongside the road, similar to areas near Whyte Avenue. You can see the photos here.

  

On July 31, we visited the remaining 2024 and 2025 projects, and we posted updates here:

• 112 Ave: No signs of constuction. The route will feature a combination of shared pathways and local street bikeways. See the photos here.
  

• 114 Ave: No signs of construction, but this route will be getting a contraflow bike lane. See the photos here.
  

• 118 Ave: No signs of construction. The sidewalk will be widened into a shared pathway, intersecting with a new shared pathway on Wayne Gretzky Drive, which connects to existing pathways and the 119 Ave project below. See the photos here.
  

• 119 Ave: There appears to be some new speed bumps, but otherwise no signs of construction. This will be a local street bikeway that connects north-south on 71 Street, 64 Street, and 55 Street. See the photos here.
  
  

• Fort Road: This is very close to complete. The route will feature a pretty good shared pathway alongside Fort Road, and runs from just south of 129 Ave to 153 Ave. See the photos here.
  

• 50 Street: This section is complete and features a shared path that only intersects with a roadway at two locations, making it quite a safe route. See the photos here.
  
  

• 66 Street: This route is actively under construction and will feature a shared pathway, see the photos here.
  

• 153 Ave: This route is also close to being complete, and is another example of a good shared pathway. There is a lot of road noise from 153 Ave, but the intersection density is low and the path connects into several neighbourhoods. See the photos here.
  
  

Our friends in the community also stepped up to visit some other sites! Here are their updates:

• Kingsway Ave: No signs of construction. A time lapse of the route was shared on social media. This is supposed to get a shared pathway on the north side of Kingsway Ave, and it will be a welcome addition.
  

  113 Street: It looks like construction of the local street bikeway is nearly complete, however htis is listed on the map as a protected two-way bike lane. Perhaps there is more construction to come, but you can see the pictures here.
  

  Callingwood Area: No signs of construction. See the photos and video here. This area is set to get a combination of protected bike lanes and shared pathways.
  

• 23 Ave near Century Park is open and features shared pathways. See a video here. 
  
  

What remains:

We’d like to see more updates of the various 23 Ave and other projects near the Grey Nuns, though we have people who have reported that the projects are done or very close to done.

• 23 Ave near Millwoods
  
  

• We need to visit 111 Ave:
  
  

• Delton: We have visited this location a few times due to all the media attention that it has been getting. So far, no signs of construction, and no apparent parking issues. We will continue visiting this area regularly, keeping an eye on parking utilization and watching for construction. The city says that protected contraflow bike lanes are going in on 92 and 96 Street, along with a local street bikeway along 124 Ave from 89 to 107 Street, that will connect to the new shared pathway next to the Yellowhead (behind the sound wall, thankfully).
  The contraflow bike lanes are replacing parking on one side of the street, and both 92 and 96 Street will be made one-way for car traffic. In our parking audits, we’ve never seen parking more than 50% utilized, and we noted that 100% of the affected homes have back alley parking with two stalls in the driveway, and garages. We only ever saw 3 vehicles parked in the back alley, though we didn’t look in anyone’s garage. i.e., there seems to be a lot of excess parking and residents have off street parking options that can easily  accommodate the parking demand.
  

What is the $100M Project?

The Active Transportation Network Expansion, commonly called the $100M project or ‘$100M for bike lanes’, was first approved by Edmonton City Council in December 2022. The plan was to rapidly expand Edmonton’s bike lane (or active transportation) network by adding 82km of new routes across 57 routes. The focus of this project was to fill missing links across the entire city.

The $100M was budgeted to cover more than infrastructure, with some money put aside for bike parking, snow removal equipment, lighting improvements, bike education, and acquiring private property for some routes.

In its first year of construction (2024), the plan included 10 routes and 17.4km of infrastructure. By the end of the 2024 construction season, 3.9km of routes were “substantially complete,” meaning they were usable but might still need minor finishing touches such as signage or paint.

In November 2024, city administration provided an update to community advocates, explaining delays due to unforeseen challenges like property acquisition, utility issues, and other complications. Despite these setbacks, the city remains confident that they will catch up in 2025 and complete all projects by the end of the 2026 construction season. They also noted that building Shared Pathways (often called MUPs or Multi-Use Pathways) is the most expensive and time-consuming process, mainly due to utility changes and land acquisition costs. This sparked questions (which largely went unanswered) about why these types of facilities were prioritized, despite evidence suggesting that protected on-street infrastructure is safer and more preferred by cyclists.

Research into cycling preferences shows that 60% of adults fall into the "Interested but Concerned" category. This group will bike if high-quality infrastructure is in place. If Edmonton is serious about increasing cycling participation, this is the group we need to build infrastructure for. "Strong and Fearless" cyclists will bike regardless of the infrastructure, often riding on busy streets right next to bike lanes, while "Enthused and Confident" cyclists will also bike in less-than-ideal conditions, like sub-standard bike infrastructure.

The “Four Types of Cyclists” typology is usually broken down as follows:

• Strong and Fearless: Individuals who are willing to bicycle with limited or no bicycle-specific infrastructure.

• Enthused and Confident: Individuals who are willing to bicycle if some bicycle-specific infrastructure is in place.

• Interested but Concerned: Individuals who are willing to bicycle if high-quality bicycle infrastructure is in place.

• No Way, No How: Individuals who are unwilling to bicycle even if high-quality bicycle infrastructure is in place.

In 2025, the plan was to build another 23 routes covering 23.5km. However, at least one project (107 Avenue) has been pushed to 2026 to avoid traffic disruptions. The final 17 routes and 29.8km of infrastructure are set to be built in 2026, completing the funding allocation.

What’s Happening Next

We will continue to monitor these projects closely. In August, we plan to revisit all ongoing projects and provide another update. Additionally, we expect to have a follow-up meeting with the City after the construction season concludes, likely in late November.

Once construction restarts in spring 2026, we will visit these sites again to assess progress and keep the community updated.

While the City remains confident that things are on track, we continue to have concerns about several aspects of the project, and we would like to see some improvements.

• Construction Delays: Construction appears to be significantly behind schedule. At this point, it is unclear why this is the case, but it’s possible that construction resources are being diverted to other large projects like the LRT expansion or Imagine Jasper Ave.

• Upcoming Election Risks: The upcoming election presents a significant risk to this project. If newly elected councillors are less bike-friendly than the current ones, there is a chance that contracts could be cancelled, projects delayed, or infrastructure could even be removed altogether.

• Provincial Government Stance: Beyond the election, we are also concerned about the provincial government’s stance on bike lanes. Minister Dreeshen has repeatedly voiced opposition to bike lanes, and there have been reports of him meeting with mayors in Edmonton and Calgary. This could be a political maneuver aimed at distracting from other ongoing scandals or turning bike lanes into a divisive issue to sway voters and support UCP-aligned candidates.

• Quality of Infrastructure: We are also concerned about the quality of infrastructure being built. Many of the routes are shared pathways, and while these are useful for more confident cyclists, they lack sufficient safety features for less experienced riders. Some intersections along the routes feature:

  • Slip lanes: many of the intersections feature slip lanes for cars. These are extremely unsafe for everyone outside of cars, and should be eliminated wherever active transportation infrastructure is present. Drivers are typically looking left for vehicle traffic, and often approach at high speed, encouraged by the unsafe roadway design. Any traffic engineer that thinks this is an acceptable arrangement should not be allowed near an active transportation project. 
  • Traffic calming: many of the intersections that do exist are with somewhat busy industrial or residential collector roads feeding onto busy arterial roads. Stop line compliance at these locations tends to be very low (drivers tend to roll the stop sign/red light stop line,) as driver look left for vehicle traffic and not both ways for cyclists or pedestrians, similar to the slip lane issue. There are several ways to reduce this issue, which depends on the alignment of each intersection. At a minimum, continuous crossings should be present, however in some locations, daylighting or curb extensions may also be necessary to ensure the safety of people outside of cars. 

  • Bike Detection: Crossings that connect new pathways to existing routes should have advance bike detection or cyclist-friendly beg buttons, rather than forcing cyclists onto sidewalks, which can create illegal behavior and increase conflicts with pedestrians.

  • Noise Pollution: Many new routes run along busy arterial roads, making them noisy. This not only creates an uncomfortable environment for cyclists, potentially deterring trips, but also contributes to health risks like cardiovascular effects and hearing loss.

These improvements are neccesary because, if the City constructs substandard bike lanes, these projects may fail to achieve a meaningful increase in active transportation usage. If that happens, several risks could emerge:

• Drivers will push back: If there is no visible increase in cyclists, we will continue hearing complaints from drivers about the $100M being wasted on bike lanes that "no one uses." While we know bike lanes are being used, especially given the rapid growth in cycling over the past few years, the perception of waste could hinder future investments in cycling infrastructure. Despite the $100M representing just 2% of the City’s annual road construction budget (and approximately 2% of Edmontonians using bikes for transportation, making this an equitable and appropriate minimum budget allocation), this narrative could gain traction and discourage future projects. If the public perceives bike lanes as underused, it could result in resistance to future cycling investments and erode support for active transportation initiatives.

• The City will fail to meet its modal share goal: Edmonton’s ambitious goal of having 50% of trips made without an automobile by 2050 is at risk. Shifting modal shares takes time, but the more concrete steps the City takes to build high-quality infrastructure, the faster it will reach this goal. The consequences of not meeting this target are severe:

  • Climate change:
    The transportation sector is a major emitter of greenhouse gases. Even with the rise of EVs, this shift alone won’t reduce the environmental impact enough.

  • Health impacts:
    Reduced cycling leads to missed opportunities for healthier lifestyles. Additionally, the environmental and health benefits of reducing car dependence—cleaner air, fewer traffic-related injuries—won’t be fully realized.

  • Traffic congestion:
    Without an effective modal shift, traffic congestion will continue to rise, leading to longer commute times and inefficiencies.

  • Rising taxes and infrastructure costs:
    Continuing to prioritize car infrastructure will drive up maintenance and expansion costs, ultimately increasing taxpayer burden.

  • Missed leadership opportunity:
    Failing to meet the target could hurt Edmonton’s reputation as a progressive city, potentially undermining its standing among environmentally conscious residents, businesses, and investors.

• Traffic congestion: As Edmonton grows rapidly, if the number of cars on the road continues to rise at the same rate as the city’s population, traffic congestion will quickly become unmanageable. The current infrastructure simply isn’t equipped to handle the growing number of vehicles. If traffic continues to rise at the same pace as population growth, it will lead to gridlock. The effects of increasing traffic congestion include:

  • Safety risks:
    More vehicles on the road increase the likelihood of collisions and fatalities, especially in congested areas.

  • Health problems:
    Higher traffic volumes generate tailpipe emissions, and lead to brake and tire where & tear, all of which contribute to air pollution. This leads to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health impacts to people that live in the communities which drivers move through.

  • Financial burden:
    Expanding and maintaining road infrastructure to accommodate more cars will require significant investment. As the number of vehicles increases, the cost of maintaining and expanding roads will rise. Car ownership is also a major financial burden on drivers, with the average Canadian paying about $14,000 per year in direct costs. At a time where the city is becoming increasingly unaffordable, providing real options to more people can help some households live car-light or car-free saving families a significant amount of money.

  • Reduced quality of life:
    Long commute times, stress, and the inability to get around easily will degrade the overall quality of life for residents.

  • Increased dependency on cars:
    Without alternatives, more people will rely on their cars, exacerbating the problem.

• Equity and Safety: Another concern that warrants attention is the need for equity in the design and execution of bike lanes. As the City continues to expand its active transportation network, it is crucial that all communities, including marginalized and low-income neighborhoods, have access to safe and well-maintained bike lanes. If certain areas are left behind or underserved, the City risks exacerbating existing inequalities in access to transportation. This is particularly important as cycling is not just an environmental or recreational issue, but a means of mobility that can reduce the cost of transportation for individuals who rely on more affordable, sustainable modes of travel.

  • Inclusive design:
    Bike lanes should serve all areas, not just wealthier, more central neighborhoods, ensuring that every Edmontonian has access to safe, efficient, and affordable transportation, no matter how they prefer to get around.

  • Affordable transportation:
    Cycling provides an affordable alternative to owning a car, especially for individuals in lower-income brackets who may not be able to afford traditional forms of transport. Transportation is the second highest household expense after the cost of housing, with the average Canadian driver spending more than $14,000 per year operating a car, and society paying another $9 in costs to provide roadways for every $1 that the driver themself pays.

  • Health and safety:
    Communities without adequate bike lanes are deprived of the health benefits cycling offers, including increased physical activity and cleaner air. These areas are also more vulnerable to traffic-related injuries and tend to be where the most extreme impacts of driving are experienced.

  • Addressing inequalities:
    Failing to build infrastructure in underserved areas could widen the transportation equity gap, disproportionately affecting those who rely on active transportation.

• Long-term Maintenance and Fiscal Sustainability: Building high-quality bike lanes is important, but long-term maintenance is critical to the success and sustainability of these projects.

  • Winter maintenance:
    Bike lanes must be regularly cleared of snow and ice to keep them accessible and safe for cyclists during the winter months.

  • Repairs and upkeep:
    Over time, bike lanes will experience wear and tear. Regular repairs will be necessary to keep the lanes safe and functional. Fortunately, bike lanes wear at a considerably slower rate than roads used by cars due to the lower weight of bikes and riders compared to automobiles. 

  • Summer maintenance:
    Sand, gravel, and debris should be cleared regularly to maintain smooth, safe surfaces for cyclists, particularly after rain or snowmelt.

  • Ongoing funding:
    Consistent maintenance funding is essential for keeping bike lanes in good condition. Without regular upkeep, infrastructure can degrade quickly, leading to safety risks and decreased usage.

  • Fiscal sustainability:
    Investing in maintenance ensures that the initial investment in bike lanes continues to provide value, improving the return on taxpayer dollars and helping the City meet its long-term transportation goals.

Accessibility and Availability: Another critical concern is ensuring that the active transportation network remains consistently available and accessible year-round. It's not enough to simply build bike lanes and assume they will be used—they need to remain open and clear for cyclists at all times.

This includes not only the winter maintenance already mentioned, but also addressing other factors that can limit the usability of bike lanes:

• Temporary Use for Construction or Events:
  Bike lanes must not be treated as convenient spaces for construction hoarding, event setups, or parking. Too often, bike lanes are temporarily shut down or obstructed by construction projects, parking, or other temporary uses. This defeats the purpose of creating a safe, continuous network for cyclists, and forces them to navigate unsafe alternatives on busy roads.

• Summer Maintenance:
  In addition to winter maintenance, bike lanes need to be regularly cleared of sand, gravel, or other debris that can accumulate from street sweeping or nearby construction. This debris can make bike lanes hazardous, particularly after heavy rain or snowmelt when the surfaces become slippery. Ongoing summer maintenance is essential for keeping lanes clear, safe, and usable.

• Bylaw Enforcement:
  Adequate patrolling by law enforcement or bylaw officers is essential to ensure that bike lanes are not used for illegal parking or other obstructions. Illegally parked vehicles or unauthorized items in bike lanes create serious safety hazards for cyclists, particularly in busy or high-traffic areas. There must be consistent enforcement to ensure that bike lanes remain clear and accessible, and that penalties are applied for violations.

By addressing these concerns, the City can ensure that its cycling infrastructure is truly available to those who need it, promoting a reliable and safe mode of transportation at all times. It’s not just about building bike lanes—it’s about creating a network that works consistently and reliably for all users.

Fortunately, none of the current or active construction projects appear to be removing any space for cars, reducing the likelihood of interference from the provincial government. However, the goal of new active transportation infrastructure should be to enhance modal choice and freedom for everyone. While the current plans generally seem good, any compromised infrastructure—like painted bike gutters or unsafe intersections—will limit cycling adoption and increase complaints from drivers, making it harder to justify future investments in active transportation.

Summary

The road to building a sustainable, bike-friendly Edmonton is full of challenges, but the opportunities for positive change are abundant. The expansion of the Active Transportation Network holds the promise of transforming our city into one that prioritizes safe, accessible, and inclusive transportation for all residents. However, the project faces significant risks—from delays and political shifts to concerns about the quality and long-term maintenance of infrastructure. It’s essential that the City remains committed to building high-quality bike lanes that are not only safe but accessible year-round, ensuring they meet the needs of cyclists in every neighborhood.

As citizens, we have a critical role to play in holding the City accountable and ensuring that these projects continue to move forward successfully. If we want to see Edmonton become a city that embraces active transportation, there are several ways to get involved:

• Support bike-friendly candidates: One of the most effective ways to ensure the continued development of high-quality bike lanes is to engage with local candidates who are passionate about cycling and active transportation. Doorknocking, attending candidate events, and showing support for those who advocate for safe bike infrastructure can help prioritize these projects in future elections.

• Engage in city surveys and public consultations: City surveys and public engagement efforts provide an opportunity to voice your support for bike lanes and other active transportation infrastructure. By filling out surveys and participating in feedback sessions, you can help influence decision-makers and demonstrate that there is strong public demand for high-quality, safe cycling options.

• Advocate for maintenance and enforcement: Beyond construction, ongoing maintenance and bylaw enforcement are crucial to the success of Edmonton’s bike lanes. Supporting initiatives that focus on consistent maintenance and enforcement of bike lane accessibility will help ensure the lanes remain usable year-round.

• Raise awareness: Educating friends, family, and neighbors about the benefits of cycling infrastructure is another way to build public support. Organizing community rides, hosting information sessions, and sharing the benefits of cycling infrastructure on social media can help galvanize support for continued investment.

By staying engaged and actively participating in these efforts, we can help ensure that the City of Edmonton builds bike lanes that are not only high quality but also sustainable for the long term. Together, we can help create a transportation system that is safer, more efficient, and better for our environment. Let’s continue to push for the bike-friendly city we deserve and keep the momentum going toward a more sustainable future.