The Pulse
Sept. 1, 2026

Even though a council committee has told administration to proceed as planned with Edmonton's active transportation network expansion, regardless of parking and traffic concerns, administration has cancelled or deferred bike infrastructure in Grovenor, Terrace Heights, and along 95 Avenue in the west end.

Such moves have prompted a city councillor to seek funding options to complete routes that were approved in the current budget cycle, including those three, as well as to continue expanding the network from 2027 to 2030. And the Edmonton Bike Coalition is encouraging cyclists to take the road this week to demonstrate what the city would look like without bike lanes.

Ward Métis Coun. Ashley Salvador is set to introduce a motion at the Sept. 2 executive committee meeting to direct administration to bring forward two funding profiles during the 2027-2030 budget deliberations. The first would increase funding to finish off the routes planned in the 2023-2026 budget cycle. The second would allow the city to introduce another new round of active transportation infrastructure as informed by an update to the current implementation guide, to be presented to council ahead of budget deliberations.

At its Aug. 26 meeting, infrastructure committee heard an update on the routes planned in the 2023-2026 budget cycle. Administration had recommended that council proceed with only 13 remaining routes and reevaluate 14 others that would affect parking or vehicle lanes, to respond to community pushback and expected provincial legislation. Instead, councillors simply received the report for information, leaving the previously approved active transportation network expansion program in place.

However, the city's active transportation network expansion webpage indicates that infrastructure in Terrace Heights along 101 Avenue that was originally planned for 2026 is now under review until next year as administration analyzes how it will impact vehicle traffic. Infrastructure along 95 Avenue has been deferred as administration reviews impacts on parking and vehicle traffic, with no posted timeline for completion. Planned work in Grovenor has been outright cancelled after some residents raised concerns. The webpage said this is "due to community and council feedback about the loss of parking and changes to travel patterns" required for the unprotected bike pathways planned for the neighbourhood, adding that active transportation connections may be considered in future renewal opportunities.

Administration says it has delegated authority to make some design and routing changes in response to technical considerations and public feedback. To Salvador, that authority should not be used to prioritize parking and vehicle movement over active transportation goals.

"That's why this was an important conversation, to be very clear around what the expectations are from council around the criteria that we're using when we are continuing to build out bike infrastructure, and that heavily weighting parking and travel lanes at the expense of active transportation is not the intention," Salvador told Taproot.

Transportation minister Devin Dreeshen has signalled that he will introduce legislation that limits a municipality's ability to install bike lanes, especially if they take away vehicle parking or travel lanes. Given that context, deferred routes might never be built if the city doesn't act quickly, said Aaron Budnick, a volunteer with the Edmonton Bike Coalition. "With the legislation that's potentially coming up from the UCP, any delay on a project could mean that it's cancelled, effectively."

• The City of Edmonton is temporarily closing 121 Street at Yellowhead Trail from Sept. 1 to the end of November as part of the Yellowhead Trail Freeway Conversion program, as crews work to keep the project on schedule following heavy summer rain delays. Drivers should expect increased traffic on nearby routes, including 97 Street, 107 Street, 127 Street, St. Albert Trail and 118 Avenue.
• The City of Edmonton confirmed 17 cases of Dutch elm disease this year, with a newly established banded elm bark beetle playing a significant role in spreading the tree-killing fungus. Edmonton has about 90,000 elm trees making up 22% of its urban forest, and the disease can destroy a community's entire elm population within a decade.
• Edmonton city councillors said they have no intention to reintroduce calcium chloride as a road de-icer after a committee heard the chemical's long-term costs — including vehicle and infrastructure corrosion — outweigh its short-term benefits. Mayor Andrew Knack acknowledged it had made streets safer in testing but said Edmontonians have consistently opposed its expanded use.
• Edmonton organizations marked International Overdose Awareness Day by highlighting the number of drug poisonings occurring in private homes. Patrick Black of Boyle Street Community Services said stigma can prevent people from calling 911 or having naloxone available. Edmonton recorded 770 drug-poisoning deaths in 2025, with more than half of unintentional opioid deaths occurring in private residences. Advocates called for greater public education, less stigma and improved access to treatment.
• Food Banks Alberta is warning of a critical shortage as its warehouse has already distributed over two million pounds of food this year — roughly 60% of its full-year 2025 total — with August volumes running 32.8% above the same month last year. Executive Director Darryl Burry called on manufacturers, producers and distributors to donate bulk quantities, and said member food banks have had to reduce how much food families receive each month.
• An Edmonton man experiencing homelessness is asking a judge to find the City of Edmonton liable for seizing and disposing of his belongings during a 2024 encampment cleanup. Dwayne Cardinal, 55, argues municipal workers unlawfully discarded his tent, clothing and other possessions while he was detained by police, and is seeking $7,000 in damages; the City argued the cleanup was legally authorized due to health and safety risks at the site.
• Edmonton Fire Rescue Services launched a video series showcasing its drone program, which has grown from one drone and pilot in 2023 to 20 drones and 64 Transport Canada-certified pilots covering all six city districts around the clock. The drones support the response to wildland fires, water and ice rescues and structure fires through real-time aerial tracking and thermal imaging.
• Lemonade Stand Day held its 13th annual edition with 725 stands across Edmonton raising money for NICView cameras for neonatal intensive care units across northern Alberta. Proceeds go to the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation. Last year's event raised more than $533,000.
• About 65% of Albertans intend to vote for the province to remain in Canada in the Oct. 19 referendum, with 23% planning to vote for a binding separation referendum, according to an August Leger poll of 1,001 Albertans. Voting intentions have remained fairly steady since June, and 62% of respondents said they are concerned about potential U.S. interference in Alberta's independence discussions. Premier Danielle Smith avoided the topic of separation in her Alberta Day speech, instead praising the province as "Canada's economic engine" and saying "the best chapters are still ahead."

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Vietnamese Heritage Month Kick-off starting at 11am at Edmonton City Hall
• Beverly Towne Farmers' Market starting at 3pm at Riverview Crossing Mall
• The Public Farmers Market starting at 3:30pm at Ritchie Community Hall
• ERINnovation Meetup - BITO Lab Launch starting at 4:30pm at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Recycled Collage Self Portraits with Hannah Gelderman starting at 6pm at Alberta Craft Council
• Thoughtful Tuesday Film Screening: Reimagining Safety starting at 6pm at Earth's Refillery Coop

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Sept. 11-13: Books2Buy Sale at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Sept. 15: Edmonton Then and Now: The Leaders Who Shaped the City at JW Marriott (Edmonton ICE District)
• Sept. 23-25: Lab2Market Summit at University of Alberta

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.

Need a hint for 8-Across? Here you go.