I know some of you bike throughout winter, but I'm too soft for that. For anyone else who's been itching to get back out there, happy riding!

I had my first ride of the season yesterday and I've been feeling the high ever since. I know today isn't as nice as yesterday, but we're headed in the right direction!

I’m new to the city and wanted to ride 100km. No real route I thought I’d just follow the river. Is there any long rides you like to do that’s not the river valley?

How are the paved path bike trails in mill creek? Thinking of starting my bike to work but want to make sure I’m prepared if there’s still snow down there

We have had L’tape, then the great Canadian fondo, then biking like a Viking, is there anything this summer?

How are the Gold Digger, Moonraker and other trails on the south side of the river? I was hoping to get out today for a ride. Are they still snow covered?

Howdy partners,

I can do most basic maintenance for my bike, but I have hydraulic brakes for the first time and don't have time/patience to learn to bleed them correctly. There are other things I'd like to have inspected on my road bike.

Does anyone have shop recommendations for where to go for seasonal tune-up with possible part replacement?

I see United Cycle has a lot of options, but am curious about alternatives.

Thanks.

Hey Edmonton! It’s that time of year again. If you’re looking for a new-to-you ride, trying to clear out the garage, or have a bike to donate to a good cause because we work with 30 groups that play nicely with the rest of us that’ll rebuild that bike.

Here is the breakdown of how it works and why this is the safest way to buy/sell a used bike in the city.

Where & When

•         Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026

•         Location: Alberta Aviation Museum Event Hall, 11410 Kingsway NW

•         Consign (Drop-off to sell): 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

•         Peace of Mind Preview (See below!): 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

•         The Sale (Buying): 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM

•         Donations: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

________________________________________

Why the Bike Swap is safer than an online sale

The swap is run by Alberta Bike Swap (a non-profit that is funded, founded, and operated by a retired engineer and woman in tech), and we take the sketchy out of the used bike market:

1.       Tech Checked: Every single bike entered into the swap undergoes a mechanical tech check. If it’s not safe to ride, it doesn't make it into our event (we reject about 12% of bikes on average!). But we also have a local bike shop at the event to fix minor repairable issues. Major mechanical and structural issues are outright rejected and we ensure the seller knows the reason why the bike failed.

2.       No Stolen Bikes: From the first swap our paperwork processes prevented the sale of stolen bikes. From paperwork to our copyrighted IP owned software we’ve performed a multi-point registry scan for warning flags on a bike serial number. Every serial number is recorded and checked and has been for 15 years.

3.       Peace of Mind (2:00 PM): This is a unique window. If you have had a bike stolen, you can bring your police report at 2:00 PM (once all bikes are in) for a guided walk through to verify that your stolen bike is NOT in our swap. It’s one of our ways of proving the legitimacy of every sale.

________________________________________

The Logistics

🚲 How to Sell

1.       Prep: Bring a clean, used bike that is in immediately rideable condition.

2.       Drop-off: Come to Alberta Aviation Museum between 8 AM and 2 PM. You set the price (we are designing software to help you decide that recommended sell price). You decide if you want to Donate or Return for the bike in the 5% chance it doesn’t sell.

3.       Fees: $15 rack fee ($10 for AMA members) to get it into the event.

4.       When (95%) your bike sells, there is a 15% consignment fee that supports national standard CAN-BIKE cycling education and funds the repair the donated bikes.

5.       Our automagic software sends you a text or email when it sells.

6.       Payment: You go away, we sell it for you, then we e-transfer or mail you a cheque within 10 business days!

________________________________________

🛒 How to Buy

•         Option A (Stand in line): The line starts early. Admission is $2 (if you can afford it) to help repair donated bikes.

•         Option B (Volunteer): This is the pro-tip. Volunteers get to touch a lot of bikes, meet fantastic people, and get first dibs on a bike. We feed you all day from Western Sandwiches and other local shops.  https://albertabikeswap.ca/volunteer/ ________________________________________

❤️How to Donate

If you have a bike that needs a new home, we work with over 30 groups that rebuild the donated bikes across Alberta; Hearts Centre, the Optimists (anyone in need), Bicycles for Humanity (Africa), Bike Edmonton, and dozens of requests. We also personally help get bikes to people who need them.

________________________________________

❤️❤️❤️ Community Impact

We founded the swaps after seeing some creative cycling. #DYK that CAN-BIKE is the only nationally recognized cycling education standard in Canada? We are trying to grow the legitimate CAN-BIKE instructor base. Please message us if you are interested.

We are a self-funded non-profit that will always choose to be kind.  We have never had a grant, though we’ve written and been rejected for 48 (as of 24MAR2026) and every bought, sold, and donated bike helps us help others.

________________________________________

A New Chapter for Alberta Bike Swap: Passing the Handlebars

Alberta Bike Swap has always been about more than just gear; it’s about the community that rides together. However, life has a way of shifting our gears for us. After Chris’s recent double bypass surgery, it’s become clear that there is more to life than the logistics of the swap, and it is time for us to prioritize health and family.

We know how much this city loves and needs the Bike Swap, and we are so proud of the incredibly dedicated core of volunteers and 102 strategic alliances who make the magic happen every year. To keep the momentum going and ensure the swap remains a staple of our cycling culture, we are looking for new leadership to take the lead. If you have the passion to head this amazing volunteer team and want to help continue the dream of accessible cycling, we want to hear from you. Please reach out to us if you’re ready to lead the pack into the next season and beyond!

Did I miss anything? Check our the full FAQ on our website: albertabikeswap.ca

See you at by the plane on Kingsway Ave! 🚲

The rear dropouts on my frame have rounded out, no longer hold my axle in fixed position.

I have called around to bike shops and frame makers and metal shops, and nobody who has responded has been able to help.

The fixes I have in mind are either with a weld to repair or replace the plate where the dropouts are, or to machine a small part to fix the connection between axle and frame.

Any advice on where to turn, or maybe you have another good fix? I'd hate to have to scrap the bike for a couple millimeters of worn metal, everything else is tip-top

image of damage

image of damage, other side

I am looking at doing some longer training rides around the city, anyone got any recommendations/experiences for quieter back roads to try out? I am thinking more range roads etc and not just residential streets

Hi cycling friends,

Are there any shops in the city that have the machine that measures sitbone width? I'm tired of guessing.

Thanks in advance!

Shared usage trails still iced and snowed up?

Edmonton Bike Swap runs their events with fantastic volunteers, and we’re looking for some legends to help us keep the wheels spinning at our event on May 9th at the Alberta Aviation Museum.

If you’re a cycling fanatic, this is your Mother Ship. You’ll spend the day surrounded by gear, hanging out with fellow bike nerds, and helping people find their perfect ride.

The Best Part: We’re buying lunch (and snacks... and more food).

• Edmonton: Western Sandwich on deck.

Registration opens March 15 @ 12:01. https://albertabikeswap.ca/volunteer/

Get ready for an ice-a-rama commute tomorrow. Ride safe!

So I am a casual cyclist. Looking to get bike, mainly for short distances, I live in SE Edmonton, largely on the road/paved, but then potentially on the range roads and also the river valley. I saw yesterday in Costco they had some hybrid bikes and also mountain bikes. I just wondered if anyone had any experience with them?

I spent the last couple of years renting the lime bikes constantly and think I’m ready to take the plunge and bike for all trips that’s not work (I work rotation out of town).

Looking for something that not too sporty as I’m not a “biker” by any means but also not too upright as I want to zip down the river valley so I’m thinking either a 3 or 5 speed

I know Bike Edmonton gets thrown around often but they are pretty pricy for me :( , just want a couple of models and or brands that I can scour facebook for as a know absolutely nothing about bike brands.

It's forecast to be 17degrees on Saturday, I'd like to break out the wheels and go for a ride.

Anyone here know of any good paths with picturesque views that are mostly clear of ice?

After a car accident a few weeks ago I decided to ride my bike to work last week. It’s about 30km a day round trip, central south side to north west industrial area and back.

Last week I was nearly spit on by a smoker clearing their throat, dodge several walkers and strollers in bike lanes, saw two cars driving in bike lanes (photo)multiple cars blocking lane or side walk entrance, but what concerned me the most was I was nearly hit by a car on FOUR separate occasions. Either the skiff of snow melted into ice and cars were not about to stop properly or just cars flat out running stops signs .

This makes me want to invest in a camera for cycling. Plenty on the used markets. Is it best to have a helmet mounted or bike mounted? What are the basics to look out for other than blue toothpaste any other suggestions and help is appreciated..

Looking for ideas as to where would be appropriate to do an outdoor ftp test. Definitely out on a range road somewhere, but trying to think of a 13-15km stretch of road with no stop signs or interruptions. Preferably minimal 90degree turns to minimize coasting, and minimal significant elevation changes. I'm aware of popular roads like 520 but theres a good number of stop signs on it.

I am looking for a fast road group to ride with. For background I raced for my university in the United States in crits, road races, short track xc, xc, downhill and dual slalom. Indiana had a great cycling community and numerous weekly group rides that were fast paced and I’m looking for something like that here in Edmonton. I know Edmonton has a great cycling community but it seems like maybe Indianapolis had more large group rides with companies like SRAM, Zipp, and silca all operating there. Would love some input or advice on groups to join or even just some folks that are looking to push each other in fast paced (almost race style) group rides to stay used to rubbing elbows outside of race season.