The Pulse
July 3, 2026

This week's batch of calls for public engagement includes research about bike parking, community parties in Stony Plain, and a survey about Edmonton's online apps and service.

The City of Edmonton is conducting research to see if current bike parking regulations meet the needs of cyclists. Administration is developing guidelines on how to provide bike parking that is effective and functional for users.

The survey asks respondents why they cycle and whether they typically find enough parking spaces at their destination. It also asks if users prefer horizontal or vertical parking spaces; the latter requires a cyclist to lift their bike to lock it against a wall.

Commercial and community properties in Edmonton have to provide bike parking. The zoning bylaw differentiates between properties that are bigger or smaller than 2,500 square metres, but both are required to provide a certain number of parking spaces for bikes, depending on the size of the property. Off-site spaces within a short walk of the property can be used to meet the parking minimum.

Residential developers are required to provide one bike parking space per unit, or one space per three sleeping units, whichever is greater. Between 85% and 90% must be long-term bike parking in a weather-protected and secure location.

These rules came up in the one-year review of the zoning bylaw in 2025, though most of the debate at that time was overshadowed by opposition to infill. The review said both city staff and developers found it difficult to meet the bylaw's bike parking requirements, and that the requirements for commercial properties were too high.

Edmontonians can request new bike racks on public property and at city-owned locations, such as along sidewalks and at transit hubs. Advocates such as the Edmonton Bike Coalition have long said that secure bike parking is a vital amenity for a cycle-friendly city, Coun. Michael Janz has been advocating for more secure parking since at least 2023.

The survey, conducted through the Edmonton Insight Community, will close on July 20.

• City council is considering new regulations to regulate lodging houses in Edmonton. Concerns about the zoning law being exploited have been raised by homeowners, as some lodging houses are being used for students and medical visitors. Proposed changes include prohibiting such houses in row or multi-unit homes, capping sleeping units per lot, reducing bedroom minimums, and requiring specific permits. BILD Edmonton Metro supports these measures, viewing them as careful amendments that balance developer needs while addressing community issues like traffic and safety related to unauthorized lodging houses.
• ENV Collectible in north Edmonton was broken into for the second time in less than 10 months, with thieves taking Pokémon and One Piece trading cards. Following the previous break-in in November, which resulted in a $40,000 loss, the store implemented increased security measures. The Edmonton Police Service is investigating the break-in, which marks the ninth such incident at local collectible and hobby shops this year.
• The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2559 accused the YMCA of Northern Alberta of union-busting during a unionization drive in a complaint over unfair labour practices filed with the Alberta Labour Relations Board on June 10. The complaint follows the layoffs of longstanding employees as union organizing efforts were ongoing. CUPE Alberta President Raj Uppal said the layoffs of three employees with eight, 10 and 22 years of service, respectively, were retaliatory. The YMCA cited funding changes as the reason for layoffs. A hearing has not yet been scheduled, and both parties are preparing for pre-hearing meetings later in 2026.
• The Edmonton Police Service arrested a 22-year-old Ontario man after a May 4 traffic stop during which officers allegedly found a loaded illegal firearm and drugs, leading to firearms and drug charges. Police said two search warrants executed later found evidence related to alleged extortion crimes. The man was transferred to Ontario, where Peel Regional Police charged him with extortion and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with an investigation into the organized crime group known as For Brothers. Police allege he was involved in a shooting at a Brampton business in April and an attempted shooting outside a home in May, where a firearm malfunctioned and the intended victim escaped unharmed. "We've been investigating extortion networks and their multi-jurisdictional linkages in Canada for some time now, and we have established a coordinated approach with a focus on effective intelligence collection, sharing, and enforcement action across provinces," said Edmonton police Staff Sgt. Eric Stewart.
• The Alberta government has submitted a proposal to the federal government for a new oil pipeline to the west coast of British Columbia, following the existing Trans Mountain pipeline route from Bruderheim, near Edmonton, to Roberts Bank in Delta, B.C. The project, which would cost $35.2 billion to $43.7 billion, aims to transport more than one million barrels daily to Asian markets by 2034. Alberta will partner with Trans Mountain Corp. and Pembina Pipeline Corp., while Alberta and the federal government would hold majority ownership. An agreement with B.C. maintains a tanker ban on the North Coast and would compensate B.C. for the new pipeline.

Here are some events happening this weekend in the Edmonton area.

• July 3: Bikes & Beverages x Grow Together YEG starting at 5pm at The Buckingham Pub
• July 3: Lawn Summer Nights starting at 6pm at Commonwealth Lawn Bowling Club
• July 4: Edmonton Open Mic Festival starting at 11am at various locations
• July 4: Let's Make Granny Squares starting at 1pm at Jasper Park Community Hall
• July 4: Rugby Nations Cup: Canada vs Spain starting at 6pm at Clarke Stadium
• July 4: The Fulton Place Summer Concert Series: Warp Factor starting at 8pm at Fulton Place Community Hall
• July 5: Masterclass Series: The Art of Fish starting at 11am at JW Marriott (Edmonton ICE District)
• July 5: Science Sundaes starting at 12pm at TELUS World of Science - Edmonton
• July 5: Danielle Smith's Drag Brunch starting at 2pm at The Orange Hub
• July 5: Improv Alumni Showcase starting at 7pm at Grindstone Theatre
• July 5-12: Historic Festival and Doors Open Edmonton at various locations

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• July 19: Ukay-Ukay Market: Shop & Scoop at Station Park
• July 21: Open Data Areas Alberta Stakeholder Session for Public Sector and Academia online
• July 25-26: Sherwood Park Highland Gathering at Broadmoor Lake Park

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

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