Cycling on the Bow Valley Parkway

Visitors must be prepared for their experience and bring sufficient food and water, appropriate clothing, gear for variable weather and bike repair tools.

• Garbage: Protect the environment and wildlife by using the bins provided or by packing out all garbage and recycling.
• Toilets and day-use areas are available along the roads.
• Cell phone coverage: Cell coverage is generally available along the roads, but there are areas of low or no coverage. Be prepared to be self-sufficient in case of injury or equipment failure. Know how to repair your bike and carry the tools and parts to do so.
• Where to lock your bike: Bike racks are available at the Johnston Canyon Day-use Area. Make sure to bring your own lock.

E-bikes are permitted on the Bow Valley Parkway, as well as the Banff Legacy Trail, which can be used to access the Bow Valley Parkway from the Town of Banff.

E-bikes are prohibited on most trails in Banff National Park with some exceptions.

Be aware - Banff National Park is home to many types of wildlife, including elk, wolves, cougars, and the remaining grizzly and black bear populations in North America. To successfully raise their young and sustain a healthy population, wildlife need access to as much quality habitat with as few human surprises as possible. Give them space for your safety and their survival.

Learn how to stay safe and protect wildlife.

Visitor should always be aware of possible encounters with wildlife, even on roads and paved trails.

Cyclists are particularly susceptible to sudden, dangerous bear encounters because of the speed and silence of their travel. Visitors must stay alert, travel in groups when possible, make noise, slow down, look ahead and always carry bear spray and know how to use it. Additionally, the use of ear buds/ear phones while cycling or hiking is not recommended.

Visitors are responsible for their own safety. Learn how to stay safe when you encounter wildlife.

If you see a large carnivore, such as a bear, cougar, wolf or coyote, please report the sighting (when it is safe to do so) by calling Banff Emergency Dispatch at 1-403-762-1470.

Vehicle restrictions reduce disturbance to wildlife. The eastern section of the Bow Valley Parkway travels through the montane, a small but important area of the park for wildlife. This is the first area in the park to be snow-free and to ‘green up’, so it is especially important in the spring as it provides animals like grizzly bears and wolves with much needed food and a place to raise their young when the rest of the park is still snowbound. These same animals are also sensitive to the presence of people, particularly between dusk and dawn when their natural activity is highest.

Bow Valley Parkway mandatory seasonal travel restriction

As part of the existing annual seasonal travel restriction on the Bow Valley Parkway that runs from March 1 through to June 25, all travel, including people cycling and hiking, will only be permitted between 8 am and 8 pm.