Last week, Edmonton City Council voted 9–4 to defeat a motion that would have paused all bike lane construction until 2026.

The motion, introduced by Councillor Tim Cartmell (a current mayoral candidate) and seconded by Councillor Karen Principe, would have immediately stopped work on bike lanes planned for existing roads where construction had not yet started. The pause would have lasted until a full review of all individual bike lane projects at the Infrastructure Committee meeting in February 2026, with the review possibly jeopardizing the progression of 2026 planned routes.

Much of the debate centered on the Delton neighbourhood, where some residents submitted a petition opposing bike lanes and claimed the consultation process was not sufficient or specific enough to their community.

Why Most Councillors Opposed It

Those who voted against the pause emphasized that:

• Edmonton has already invested years of planning, consultation, and design work into its bike lane network.
• Halting projects now would create uncertainty, waste resources, and undermine progress toward Council’s climate, mobility, and public health goals.
• The motion itself was unclear; for example, on what counted as “construction begun” and what “cease immediately” would mean in practice.

The Vote

The motion was defeated 9–4.

Voted in favour (to pause bike lane construction):

• Tim Cartmell
• Sarah Hamilton
• Karen Principe
• Jennifer Rice

Voted against (to keep bike lane construction moving):

• Mayor Amarjeet Sohi
• Michael Janz
• Erin Rutherford
• Ashley Salvador
• Andrew Knack
• Aaron Paquette
• Jo-Anne Wright
• Anne Stevenson
• Keren Tang

Why This Matters

The decision means Edmonton’s bike lane network will continue to be built as planned. With a municipal election coming up, active transportation has become a political flashpoint. Provincial Minister Devin Dreeshen has also indicated interest in requiring traffic-impact assessments for bike lane projects that replace driving lanes, highlighting how this conversation reaches beyond City Hall.

Take a Minute to Say Thanks

We want to recognize and thank the nine councillors who supported Edmonton’s bike lanes and rejected the pause. Their votes show leadership and commitment to creating a safer, more connected, and accessible transportation network for Edmontonians.

Is your Councillor one of the 9 who rejected this motion?

If yes, a simple thank-you goes a long way. We encourage you to send your councillor a short note of gratitude for their support of bike lanes.

Here’s a simple template you can use:

Subject: Thank You for Supporting Bike Lanes

Dear Councillor [Last Name],

Thank you for voting against the motion to pause bike lane construction. Your support shows real leadership in making Edmonton a safer and more connected city. I appreciate your commitment to building a transportation network that gives people real choices in how they move.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Don’t know your councillor’s email? Take a look below!