The Pulse: May 26, 2026

A woman poses with her red, decorated bicycle, in front of a cafe and bike shop.

Bikeology launches with push to design cycling with women in mind

May 26, 2026
By Stephanie Swensrude

A new non-profit is seeking to encourage more women and girls to ride bicycles by combining community events with advocacy aimed at making cycling infrastructure safer and more practical for all.

Heather Young-Leslie, president of the Bikeology Guild of Canada, told Taproot there are barriers, both physical and social, to women who want to get around by bike.

"For a lot of women, what they experience is that the bike world tends to be kind of testosterone-dominated with men of very good intentions," she said. "Whatever those reasons are, when it comes to designing urban infrastructure, when it comes to talking about who's going to use the infrastructure, the default assumption is that you are a fit male who is probably white, whereas we know that the bicycle, historically, has been this great democratizer."

Bikeology will hold an official launch on May 31 at the Garneau Theatre. Mayor Andrew Knack will proclaim "Women's Freedom to Cycle in Edmonton Day," and Jill Thomson will showcase her urban artscapes in the lobby before a screening of the documentary Women Don't Cycle and several bike-themed short films. A researcher will also present data about the use of bike lanes in Edmonton. Let's Bike There, a group of Edmonton moms who hold meetups for families using or interested in cargo bikes, will host a play date at Garneau Park before the screenings.

Young-Leslie was the organizer who brought the Ride of the Fancy Women to Edmonton in 2021, encouraging women to hop on a bike in their most fancy and feminine attire. Bikeology will host the next one on June 14.

Through Bikeology, Young-Leslie hopes to make the work year-round, and she would love to see it spread across Canada.

Men cycle to work at about double the rate of women, according to Statistics Canada, although the gap is narrowing. Census data shows the gap is even wider for those who are visible minorities. Research suggests high-quality cycling infrastructure can boost ridership, but infrastructure alone does not guarantee a more diverse cycling community.

Young-Leslie said the barriers can be especially high for women who have moved here from other countries. "There's a big, wide range of immigrant populations here — a lot of those women never had the opportunity to learn to ride a bike, and there's no support for an adult woman who wants to learn to ride a bicycle," she said.

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Headlines: May 26, 2026

May 26, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim

At council's infrastructure committee meeting on May 25, city councillors discussed a report that says Edmonton's High Level and Low Level bridges need replacement after reaching the end of their lifespan. Mayor Andrew Knack advocated for an expanded High Level Bridge that would include vehicle lanes, bus rapid transit, active transportation, and possibly a streetcar. Estimated replacement costs could exceed $380 million. Coun. Reed Clarke highlighted the need for support from provincial and federal governments, citing historical assistance in the bridge's initial construction.
In an interview with CBC News, Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack criticized Alberta's upcoming referendum on separating from Canada as unnecessary and a distraction. Premier Danielle Smith proposed the referendum question, sparking concerns about its effect on economic development and investment in Edmonton. Knack plans to engage Edmontonians through community events to oppose the separation movement and emphasize the city's focus on pressing issues, such as housing and mental health. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would advocate for Canadian unity, and called the push for separation a "dangerous bluff."
The City of Edmonton, with funding from the Government of Alberta, is moving forward with Stage 3 of the Terwillegar Drive Expansion project, which includes upgrades such as a new northbound bridge and the repurposing of an existing bridge over Anthony Henday Drive. The project also features new loop ramps and a pedestrian/cyclist bridge. Construction is anticipated to complete by this fall. Lane reductions could cause traffic disruptions.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services will host open houses at eight fire stations from May to August, including the new Blatchford Station 8 and renovated Highlands Station 7. Residents can meet firefighters, explore fire trucks, and learn fire safety tips.
Edmonton and Peace River are seeking provincial changes to address derelict commercial properties. Both municipalities are teaming up to propose changes to the Municipal Government Act that would enable a derelict tax subclass for non-residential buildings, which currently only cities like Edmonton and Calgary are legally allowed to introduce. Edmonton Coun. Ashley Salvador initiated a council motion to bring the issue forward, which passed unanimously. Council plans to present the proposal at the upcoming Alberta Municipalities convention.
Former Alberta Health Services CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos told an Edmonton court she fears for her safety, alleging she is being harassed by a pair of podcasters. Mentzelopoulos, who is suing for wrongful termination, claimed the podcasters are pressuring her to abandon her $1.7 million lawsuit against the health authority and the Alberta government. Her lawyer, Brett Code, cited more than 300 podcast mentions, and said some included threats and intimidation. A restraining order and contempt ruling are being sought against the podcasters. A judicial decision is expected within a week.
The Edmonton Oilers signed Aku Raty to a one-year, two-way contract valued at $850,000. Raty, a forward from Oulu, Finland, led his former team, Karpat, in scoring with 57 points in 51 games during the 2025–26 season in Finland's Liiga. Originally drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in 2019, Raty has also played in the AHL for the Tucson Roadrunners and Rockford IceHogs, and made his NHL debut on April 17, 2024, with one assist against the Oilers.