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
| Rental location | Location | Fleet | Prices (2025) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bow Cycle & Sports | 6501 Bowness Rd NW / 632 Confluence Way SE | MTB, road, city, e-bike, fat | $85/day for MTB; $99 e-bike | Online booking, group rides |
| Pedego Calgary | 1220 Kensington Rd NW | 18 e-bike models | from $30/hour, $99/day | 5-year warranty, child trailers |
| U of C Outdoor Centre | 2500 University Dr NW | mountain, city, fat, e-bike | $50/day MTB; $60 e-bike | “4 days = 2 days” promotion |
| Toonie Tours | Stephen Ave SW | pedal, e-bike, e-scooter | $12/hour large; $25/hour e-bike | 15-minute increments, $200 deposit |
| Joe’s Garage | Bow River Pathway | city, kids, tandem | $30 first 2 hours | Helmet, lock included |
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.