How to rent a bike or electric scooter for sightseeing?

Over a thousand kilometers of paved trails along the Bow and Elbow rivers, robust cycling infrastructure, and a year-round Shared Micromobility program make Calgary one of Canada's most micromobility-friendly cities. Below is a step-by-step guide to choosing, renting, and safely operating bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters.

1. Rental options

Bird Canada and Neuron Mobility apps — a citywide network of e-scooters and e-bikes, available 24/7 (March–November).

Classic rental locations and shops:

• Bow Cycle (Bowness Road NW and East Village) — the largest fleet of city and electric bikes.
• Pedego Calgary (Kensington Rd NW) — branded e-bikes with 100 km batteries.
• University of Calgary Outdoor Centre — over 10,000 pieces of equipment, including mountain, city, fat, and e-bikes.
• Toonie Tours / Calgary Bicycle & E-Scooter Rentals on Stephen Avenue — rentals from 1 hour, MJM e-bikes, Apollo Air e-scooters.
• Joe’s Garage (10 St NW, near Bow River Pathway) — pedal and tandem bikes for short rides.
• Rent-from-locals platforms (FriendWithA, Cloud of Goods) — private Segway Ninebot MAX for $40/day.

2. How to use Bird or Neuron

• Download the app (Bird Canada or Neuron Mobility), register, and add your bank card.
• Select the nearest device on the map; you can reserve it for 30 minutes free of charge.
• Scan the QR code, confirm the rules, and give it a push to start.

Rates: $1.15 CAD to unlock + $0.35/min (Bird); Neuron — $1.15 + $0.39/min. Daily, weekly, and monthly passes are available.

Speed limits: 20 km/h in the city, 15 km/h on campuses and in pedestrian zones.

Parking: Only in Share & Go zones or near bike racks; $75 fine for blocking the sidewalk.

Requirements: Minimum age 18, helmet strongly recommended; riding on sidewalks is prohibited, except on empty sidewalks wider than 2.1 m.

3. Classic and electric bike rentals

4. Where to ride

– Bow River Pathway Loop (48 km) — the main artery with views of the Peace Bridge and the Nose Hill skyline. – Glenmore Reservoir Loop (14 km) — an urban “fjord” with a yacht club and Weaselhead Flats. – Fish Creek Provincial Park — 80+ km of forest and river trails, accessible to e-bikes.

– City cycle tracks (12 Ave SW, 5 St SW) — ideal for e-scooters.

Maps and rules: calgary.ca/bike, interactive map in the Bird/Neuron apps.

5. Rules and safety

• Reflectors are mandatory; after dark, front white and rear red lights are required (Bylaw 26M96).
• Alcohol = fine up to $1,000 + confiscation of the scooter.
• No riding on roads with a speed limit > 50 km/h; use bike lanes and low-traffic roads.
• No e-scooters for children under 14; pedal bikes are allowed everywhere.

6. Cost summary

– 20-minute city trip on an e-scooter = $1.15 + $7.00 ≈ $8.15 – A day e-bike from Bow Cycle ≈ $99, but cheaper than car sharing for a group of 2-3 people – A pedal bike for 4 hours from Toonie Tours — $30

7. Tips for beginners

• Reserve Bird/Neuron during rush hour (4:30–6:30 p.m.) — there may be a shortage.
• Scan the parking lot QR code after parking to avoid a fine.
• For long trips (>40 km), take an e-bike with a spare battery (Pedego, Bow Cycle).
• Don't forget about the weather: sunscreen in summer, gloves in fall, because the river wind is cold.

Conclusion

Renting a bike or electric scooter in Calgary is easy: choose your format — instant rental through Bird/Neuron or classic rental at Bow Cycle, Pedego, or Outdoor Centre; download the app or reserve online; follow the traffic and parking rules. The city supports micromobility: 1,000 km of safe paths allow you to ride around Glenmore Reservoir, reach Nose Hill, and return to Riverwalk in a day, spending less than a taxi ride to the airport. All that's left is to choose a helmet, charge your smartphone, and head out to meet the sun over the Bow.