This summer I partnered with ZenSeekers and Destination Canada to Explore Edmonton by BIKE!
Cycling is a super fun and accessible way to get around Canadian cities. Arguably, it’s the best way to explore a city—especially Edmonton! You just don’t see a place the same way by car, let’s face it. All the nooks and crannies—getting right into the river valley, that wind in your hair, the hellos and smiles to all the doggos!
One of the first things I asked before I signed onto this project was: you’re not expecting me to be a pro cyclist right? Because I am far, far from that! But that wasn’t the intent.
Getting on a bike to enjoy and explore a city isn’t reserved for just expert cyclists. Anyone can do it!
As Karly Coleman, my new friend, a long-time Edmontonian and cyclist, and someone I worked with on the Biking Edmonton project told me:
“Bicycling not only makes Edmonton very accessible, it’s also a fairly accessible activity for a wide range of people—particularly since you often learn how to ride a bike as a child, and then that skill is available to you throughout your life.”
According to Karly (and I agree, especially with an e-bike lol):
“Once you’re on your bike, it’s not long before you are able to go farther to check out what Edmonton has in store! Moreover, you also encounter a plethora of others also reconnecting with the joy of riding!”
I do believe the advent of electric bikes have made biking even more accessible. I am SO confident on an e-bike! I know I will be able to ride further, faster, and up far more hills on an e-bike than I could ever on a regular bike.
E-bikes are just such a great entry into cycling cities—especially if you’re a tourist (or acting like a tourist in your town).
And hey, if you’ve never biked before, even as an adult—this is a skill you can easily pick up! You can do it!!!
Below I’ve made some suggestions for different Biking Edmonton routes featuring various food and city landmarks you can plan your ride around in the city. You could combine, mix and match, as you wish to create full day or weekend biking itineraries!
Note: this is obviously not an exhaustive list of the amazing landmarks, neighbourhoods, or food stops you could make during a biking trip around Edmonton.
Guide to Biking Edmonton – Routes
(Food and Landmarks) to Plan Your Ride Around
Note: all photos featured in this post were taken by the talented Karl Lee Photo
Where to rent e-bikes in Edmonton:
There are a few options for e-bike rentals in the city. They include:
- Pedego Edmonton (10107 81 Ave. – Old Strathcona)
- River Valley Adventure Co. (9731 Grierson Hill – Downtown)
Related: read my blog post – Segway, Vespa, and E-Biking in Edmonton
Bike Edmonton – Route #1 (Downtown):
Check off these stops in my Downtown Biking Edmonton Itinerary:
Landmarks:
- Alberta Legislature and South Grounds
- Churchill Square / City Hall
- 100 Street Funicular
- Brewery District
- Neon Sign Museum
Food Recommendations:
- Tsujiri Alberta – Japanese Green Tea House (10173 109 Street)
- Serving up the best matcha lattes, ice creams, sweet treats. My favourite drink here is their O-Matcha (green tea with black sesame). Get it cold.
- Rosewood Foods (10150 100 Street)
- Find the best damn crullers in the city here.
- Shojo Izakaya (10425 121 Street)
- A delicious Japanese-style gastropub with dog-friendly underground patio.
- Tzin Wine & Tapas (10115 104 Street)
- With a wide range of eclectic wines and delicious tapas, Tzin’s BACON is a must-order: a melt-in-your-mouth sweet and savoury pork belly crostini dish that Tzin is widely known for.
Bike Edmonton – Route #2 (124 Street / Parks Area):
Check off these stops in my 124 Street / Parks Area Biking Edmonton Itinerary:
Landmarks:
- 124 Street Instagrammable Walls
- Oliver Exchange Building
- TELUS World of Science
- Hawrelak Park
Food Recommendations:
- Shanghai 456 (14456 118 Avenue)
- Located near the TELUS World of Science, find the city’s BEST Xiao Long Bao soup dumplings at Shanghai 456!
- Tiramisu Bistro (10750 124 Street)
- The best little bistro on the street, with the cutest little Lift Me Up market. Try a spaghetti cone or their picnic baskets.
- Meuwly’s Artisan Market (10706 124 Street)
- Meuwly’s is your source for locally-made gourmet foods. Grab items for charcuterie, nibble on pepperoni for the ride, stock up on local pickles, condiments, fermented foods and preserves.
- Chocorrant Patisserie + Cafe (10328 124 Street)
- Chocorrant is home to my favourite croissants in the city, selling flavours you won’t find anywhere else—like matcha green tea, strawberry almond or smores! Try their savoury croissant-wiches (sandwiches) too.
- Bodega 124 Street (12417 Stony Plain Road)
- One of my favourite restaurants in Edmonton—settle in and order a spread of Spanish tapas. Do yourself many favours and get the bacon wrapped manchego cheese dates, piri piri prawns, empanadillas.
- Odd Company Brewing (12021 102 Avenue – Oliver Exchange Building)
- Sit on their patio and enjoy small batch, creative quality brews. Head inside the unique building and find bakeries, shops and photo ops.
- Villa Bistro (11520 100 Avenue)
- Located at the top of the hill on your way down to Hawrelak Park, find casual European cuisine (lunch, dinner, and drinks) at Villa Bistro.
Bike Edmonton – Route #3 (Old Strathcona / Ritchie / Mill Creek):
Check off these stops in my Old Strathcona / Ritchie / Mill Creek Biking Edmonton Itinerary:
Landmarks:
- High Level Bridge
- Okuda San Miguel Mural
- Various Old Strathcona Instagrammable Walls
- Ritchie Market
- Mill Creek Ravine
- ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞
- Walterdale Bridge / Hill
Food Recommendations:
- Farrow Sandwiches (9855 76 Avenue)
- Slinging some of the city’s best sandwiches including a vegan option
- Yelo’d Ice Cream (10150A 82 Avenue)
- Home of Filipino and Asian inspired ice cream and baked goods. Don’t forget to swing around the alleyway to snap photos at the Instagrammable Walls!
- Nhon Hoa Sandwich Bar (10154 82 Avenue)
- Serving delicious, authentic, Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches since 1988.
- Cat Cafe on Whyte (10111 82 Avenue)
- Alberta’s first and Edmonton’s only cat cafe—take a biking break to sip drinks, pet cats! What could be more purr-fect?
- Avila Arepa (10760 82 Avenue)
- Find Latin vibes and delicious flavours at this urban Venezuelan kitchen
—
Those are just three Biking Edmonton routes and suggested stops you could experience as you cycle through to explore the city. I’m sure as you bike you’ll uncover even more great local businesses and beautiful green spaces, and I guarantee you’ll have so much fun biking Edmonton!
As home to North America’s largest connected parkland, a bike around Edmonton guarantees incredible green spaces alongside urban vibes. Edmonton is an increasingly accessible, bikeable city, and you’ll find some pretty stunning views and amazing local businesses offering up some unforgettable experiences when you go!
Remember to stay safe on your ride! Wear a helmet. Ride within bike lanes where possible.
And plan your route in advance (using my suggested landmarks and food stops!)
I also shared even more Biking Edmonton ideas on ZenSeekers website and Destination Canada:
Disclaimer: This blog post is sponsored by ZenSeekers and Destination Canada. This has no impact on opinions stated in this post. I exploring Edmonton and supporting local businesses so this was a great project to be involved in. I had so much fun exploring Edmonton by bike and sharing ways you can too!
All photos credit to Karl Lee Photo
Thank you to ZenSeekers and Destination Canada for this opportunity!
—
Linda
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1 Comment
I wish you would move to Calgary. I’ve recently transplanted here from edmonton, and I’d happily co-pilot exploring w you!!!