Summary:

In Calgary, eBikes are classified as vehicles under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act. Riders must wear helmets, use lights and reflectors in low light, and follow traffic laws. Calgary pathway bylaws limit eBike speed to 20 km/h and prohibit riding on sidewalks with pedal assist. Only eBikes up to  500W and with a max speed of 32 km/h are permitted on city pathways—models with more power must stick to streets and off-road trails.

Electric Bike Laws You Should Know When Riding in Calgary

Riding an eBike is one of the best ways to explore Calgary when conditions permit. That’s because Calgary is home to an extensive network of bike paths and trails, in addition to its roads and bike lanes.

But Calgary also has specific laws governing how eBikes can be used—so before you ride, make sure you’re familiar with them. Below, our team at eBikes Calgary catches you up to speed.

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Understanding Calgary’s Cycling Bylaws

You might not think so, but bicycles, including eBikes, are classified as vehicles under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act. This means when you're out riding your eBike, you've got many of the same rights—and responsibilities—as drivers on the road.

On top of that, the City of Calgary has its own set of bylaws you need to follow when you’re cruising down city pathways. Let’s take a closer look at both types of rules:

Safety First: Alberta’s Provincial Cycling Laws

These are the most essential rules you’ll need to follow if you’re riding an eBike on a public road in Alberta:

Requirement	Rule	Special Conditions
Helmet	Must be work at all times when riding	Required for eBike riders (not required for regular bicycles if over 18, although strongly recommended)
Brakes	At least one working brake	Required for all bicycles
Audible Device	Working bell or horn	Required for all bicycles
Lights & Reflectors	White front light  (max 2) Red rear light Red reflector	Required at night or in low light conditions
Hand Signals	Use signals for turns or lane changes	Required for all cyclists

Sources

Refer to the following pieces of legislation so you can stay updated on regulations as they change:

• Traffic Safety Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. T-6 (TSA)

• Vehicle Equipment Regulation, Alta. Reg. 122/2009

• Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation, Alta.

Bylaws for City Pathways

Pedaling down Calgary's beautiful bike paths? Keep these city-specific rules in mind:

	Rule
Speed Limit	Max 20 km/h on all pathways unless signs say otherwise
Keep Right	Stay to the right except when passing
No Pass Zones	Do not pass where there's a double yellow line
Audible Signals	Use a bell, whistle, or horn when passing (bikes or Segways)
Right of Way	Yield to other users and respect shared space
Visibility	Make sure other users (walkers, joggers, etc.) can clearly see you
Pedal Assist Allowed	Pedal-assist eBikes are permitted on pathways, except where bicycles are explicitly banned
Throttle/Gas Prohibited	Power-on-demand (throttle-only) electric or gas-powered bikes are not allowed on pathways

Sources

Familiarize yourself with the following city bylaws and stay up to date in case they change:

• City of Calgary Bylaws Related to Street Use
• City of Calgary Dog Leash Guidelines
• City of Calgary Parks and Pathways Bylaws

Safety Tips

Remember to keep these additional safety tips in mind:

• Ride single file
• Move off to the right when stopping
• Avoid using hand-held tech while moving
• Keep volume low on headsets
• Watch for slippery sections
• Keep your eyes forward
• Stay to the right except when passing
• Yield the right-of-way to users on the right at intersections
• Always signal when you're passing or approaching a blind spot like a corner or hill

What's Not Allowed

Remember, here’s what you can’t do when you’re riding an eBike in Calgary

• No eBikes on sidewalks while pedal assist is active 
• No eBikes over 500W
• No speed in excess of 32 km/h on city pathways—stick to streets and off-road trails
• No powered riding in pedestrian zones

Devices like electric skateboards, scooters, segways, unicycles, and hoverboards are permitted on pathways—but make sure you follow all posted rules.

Exceptions to Regular Calgary eBike Law

Electric-assisted bicycles using pedal-assist only, skateboards, scooters, Segways, electric unicycles, and hoverboards are permitted on Calgary’s multi-use pathways—as long as they meet the requirements set by the Parks and Pathways Bylaw.

And remember, power-on-demand (throttle-only) electric bikes and gas-powered bikes are not allowed on city pathways. This includes certain high-powered or modified eBikes that exceed 500 watts or can operate without pedaling. For example, the Michael Blast Outsider may look a lot like a motorcycle and ride like a dream, but unless you keep it on pedal assist and stay within legal power and speed limits, you should keep it on the road.

Also, eBikes are not permitted on city sidewalks while pedal assist is active. If you're dismounting or walking your bike, no problem—but don’t use power assist in pedestrian zones.

Takeaways

• Use pedal assist on the road or bike paths—not on sidewalks 
• Use the throttle on road only—not on sidewalks or bike paths
• Dismount, walk, or pedal your eBike without assistance if you're using it on the sidewalk

Power Your Next Adventure

Now that you’re up to speed on the laws of the eBiking land in Calgary, it’s time to find your eBike, get out there, be safe, have fun, and enjoy the ride. Stay tuned to the eBikes Calgary blog for more updates and tips to keep your eBiking experience exhilarating and eco-friendly. Happy riding, Calgary!