Summary:
- The 27-kilometer route along Highway 1A from Banff to Canmore offers scenic views and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife—but you’ll need an eBike that can take you between these towns in comfort and safety.
- The Colt by Surface 604 is a reliable eBike for highway riding, providing a sturdy frame design, ample motor torque, and a long-lasting battery for the trip.
- For riders who want to venture off the road, the Boar Explorer by Surface 604 is a fat tire eBike that provides excellent versatility with a high-torque motor and comfortable seat.
- The Soda by Michael Blast is a great-looking option that offers a retro-inspired design, front suspension fork, and mini fat tires—while still boasting strong performance and over 50km of range per full charge.
- For challenging terrain, consider the Shred by Surface 604—an eMTB with thick tires, plenty of suspension travel, and a torque sensor system for intuitive power delivery.
Taking Highway 1A (the famous Bow Valley Parkway) from Canmore to Banff is absolutely stunning. You’ll pass scenic Johnston Canyon and Bow Falls on your way through the sprawling Banff National Park, with some of the world’s most breathtaking forests and mountains on all sides. Making this journey on an eBike is one of the best ways to experience all this nature up close—but you’ll need to make sure the model you’re riding is prepared to go the distance.
Our team at Calgary eBikes is here to help! Below, we’ve picked out some of the best electric bikes you can buy for highway riding through the Rocky Mountains. Get ready to cruise between Banff and Canmore in comfort and safety with these dependable electric steeds.
What to Expect on the Trip from Banff to Canmore
Riding from Banff to Canmore along Highway 1A is a scenic journey through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. This 27-kilometer route is a favorite among cyclists for its gentle terrain and stunning views. You’ll find:
- Gentle Climbs: While the road features some undulating terrain, none of the hills are excessively steep, making it accessible for riders of all levels.
- Paved Roads: The entire stretch of Highway 1A is paved, offering smooth riding conditions perfect for eBikes. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities to get off-road as well (and if that’s what you’re after, we’ve got an eBike or two that can help).
- Scenic Views: Expect breathtaking views of the mountains, particularly at the many viewpoints along the way.
- Wildlife Sightings: You may encounter wildlife such as elk, deer, and even bears. Always maintain a safe distance and remember that feeding wildlife is strictly prohibited.
Remember to be prepared for sudden weather changes typical of the Rockies, and always wear a helmet. Now, let’s list the best eBikes for this trip!
Our Top eBikes to Ride Highway 1A Through the Rockies
The Colt by Surface 604
eBike Type: Commuter
Key Features
- 500W Bafang geared hub brushless electric motor (peaks at 750W)
- Puncture-resistant custom 2.4” tires with reflective sidewalls
- High-capacity Samsung lithium ion battery
- Selle Royale ergonomic gel saddle
Why It Rules
The Colt offers more than your average commuter eBike, making it a great option for this day trip between mountain towns. Not only does its motor offer plenty of torque (65Nm) for highway riding, but its tires are designed to prevent blowouts and both of its battery options offer more than enough range (72 km or 105 km) to make the trek on a single charge.
We love the Colt’s sturdy frame design that provides optimal stability for serious riding—but if you’re looking for a slightly more laid-back eBike with the same features listed above, try the Surface 604 Rook instead. It uses a step-thru frame and swept-back cruiser-style bars to give you the same performance in a more relaxed package.
The Boar Explorer by Surface604
eBike Type: Fat Tire
Key Features
- High-torque 500W fat-bike-specific Bafang geared hub electric motor (peaks at 750W)
- Maxxis Colossus 4.5” tires
- High-capacity Samsung lithium ion battery
- SR Selle Royale Nebula seat
Why It Rules
Let’s say you want to get off the highway at some point during your ride and explore some of the more rugged terrain between Canmore and Banff. Maybe you’ll spin up the Banff Legacy Trail or head to the Cascade Ponds Picnic Area—but you’ll need an eBike that can traverse dirt, grass, and gravel without sliding around. Fortunately, that’s where fat tire eBikes like the Boar Explorer excel.
We chose this model for its supremely comfortable seat and high-torque electric motor, which is designed to give you lots of low-down grunt for trickier trail sections. If you want a similar model that also gives you some built-in cargo capacity, check out the Boar Hunter instead.
The Soda by Michael Blast
eBike Type: Scrambler
Key Features
- Aluminum TIG-welded frame with front suspension fork
- Innova 4” mini fat tires
- Samsung lithium ion battery
- Eco + Sport modes
Why It Rules
Most of the eBikes on this list focus on performance over looks—but if you want to bomb between Banff and Canmore in style, the drop-dead-gorgeous Soda by Michael Blast is more than capable of getting you there. This retro-inspired scrambler eBike has a tough TIG-welded aluminum frame, with mini fat tires and a front suspension fork to soak up the bumps along the way or carry you with confidence if you deviate from the beaten path (pavement) for a little off-road action. With over 50km of range per full charge, you’ll have all the battery life you need as well—plus you can switch between riding modes for ultimate comfort during your ride. A bike with all that shouldn’t be allowed to look this good (but Michael Blast has always had a thing for breaking rules in style).
The Shred by Surface604
eBike Type: eMTB
Key Features
- eMTB-specific 500W Bafang geared hub brushless electric motor (peaks at 750W)
- CST Patrol 2.8” tires
- SR Suntour XCM front suspension fork with 100mm of travel
- Torque sensors for intuitive power delivery
Why It Rules
Okay, we know we said this article was about eBikes to take you along the Bow Valley Parkway—but just for argument’s sake, let’s say you want the option to take the Goat Creek Trail along Spray River instead. If that’s the case, you’re going to need a machine that can handle some pretty gnarly terrain, and the Shred by Surface 604 is an ideal choice.
The Shred has uniquely thick tires for an eMTB—they’re not exactly fat tires, but they will give you a big boost in comfort and stability. You also get plenty of suspension travel, so it’s really the best of both worlds. But the real jewel in the crown here is the torque sensor system that delivers power to the electric motor based on how hard you pedal, letting you turn up or down the juice basically by instinct. Not only is this awesome for off-roading, but it’s a terrific feature to have when you’re on the highway with cars and trucks around too.
Ride the Bow Valley Parkway Your Way
There’s no “right way” to make the trip from Banff to Canmore on an eBike—as long as you have a model that fits your riding style and the activities you want to do along the way. If you plan to take a more roundabout route through the backcountry, eMTBs like the Shred or Fat Tire eBikes like the Explorer and Hunter are your best options. If you plan to stick to the road, we can’t recommend the Colt, Rook, or Soda enough.
Remember, it’s all about you and what you want—so take the time to find an eBike you love before making this trip! Check out all of our eBikes here and make sure you can get the most out of the journey.