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Bow Valley Parkway cycling offer scaled back in three-year pilot

“There was a lot of support for a cycling offer and also a lot of folks who wanted to see that balanced with accessibility for others,” said Daniella Rubeling, visitor experience manager for Banff National Park.
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Cyclists ride along the Bow Valley Parkway in Banff National Park last summer. EVAN BUHLER RMO PHOTO

BANFF – A vehicle ban on Bow Valley Parkway that turned the famous scenic drive into a cycling mecca each spring and summer throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been scaled back.

Following a public consultation period that included more than 2,300 submissions, Parks Canada is going with a three-year pilot that restricts vehicles from May 1 to June 25 and from September 1-30 only along the eastern 17-kilometre section of the parkway to allow cycling.

“There was a lot of support for a cycling offer and also a lot of folks who wanted to see that balanced with accessibility for others,” said Daniella Rubeling, visitor experience manager for Banff National Park.

“This decision we made was informed by feedback from recent public engagement on cycling and considers Parks Canada’s operational requirements and park management priorities.”

In 2020 and 2021, vehicle access on the eastern half of the Bow Valley Parkway was restricted, initially to support public health requirements such as physical distancing at the busy tourist hotspot at Johnston Canyon. The car-free section turned into a cycling mecca.

A six-km section between Castle Mountain and Johnston Canyon was opened on July 1 2021 to allow access to the Johnston Canyon resort, canyon trail, and campground, with the parkway fully reopening by the September long weekend last year.

Parks Canada then asked for public feedback on two proposed options to provide a vehicle-free cycling experience on the parkway into the future. The first option was spring and fall seven days a week and the second option was spring and fall, weekends only.

Based on the options Parks Canada provided, a significant majority of respondents, from both the public and organizations, indicated a strong preference for a cycling experience seven days a week in spring and fall.

According to the feedback, a large number preferred more vehicle-free days to extend into summer, while for some, there was a desire for a year-round car-free parkway.

“We also heard that a vehicle-free parkway would be appreciated by not only cyclists, but also by people looking for a place to walk, run, roller-blade, and roller-skate,” according to a What We Heard document compiled by Parks Canada.

However, Parks Canada indicated others raised concerns over the negative impacts of vehicle restrictions, such as fair access for people with disabilities, lack of convenient access to day-use areas within the restricted areas, especially for those transporting equipment such as climbing ropes, and congestion related to parking or vehicles diverted elsewhere.

“We heard that vehicle restrictions are discriminatory against people with mobility challenges, the elderly, and people with special interests such as photographers, rock climbers, guides and birders,” stated the document.

Several tourism businesses raised concerns about negative impacts to their operations. For example, lack of access for scenic driving tours and transporting guided clients to sites within the vehicle-restricted area.

“It was also a concern that the restriction may reduce tourists’ draw to businesses in the area,” according to the What We Heard document.

One of the key themes during the public consultation was visitor experience.

The majority of respondents indicated that the vehicle restriction greatly contributes towards their experience, noting it is safer without cars and, therefore, a much more enjoyable cycling experience.

“Others commented on how the car-free experience is like no other and the highlight of their visit to the park,” stated the document.

“A small group of respondents noted how scenic driving is a quintessential part of their visit to Banff.”

For other visitors, such as hikers and climbers, access to valued places such as Fireside, Corey Pass and Guides Rock are reduced by the restriction.

“For these individuals, the vehicle restriction has an overall negative impact on their experience and enjoyment of Banff National Park,” the document said.

Environmental impacts were also a key consideration for many.

Parks Canada said many people felt the vehicle restrictions would be better for the environment, particularly for wildlife. To this group, fewer vehicles would be safer for wildlife, support better wildlife movement, as well as result in less air and noise pollution.

However, others felt a steady stream of cyclists on the parkway would be more disruptive to wildlife than regular vehicle traffic.

“Concern was raised over the potential for close, dangerous encounters between wildlife and cyclists, posing an increased safety risk to humans and wildlife,” stated the document.

Meanwhile, the long-standing seasonal overnight springtime closure of the parkway to protect wildlife remains in place.

The parkway cuts through critical montane habitat, which is considered especially important in the spring because it provides animals with much needed food and a place to raise their young when most of the park is still covered in snow.

Since 2014, vehicles are not permitted on the eastern section of the parkway from March 1 to June 25 between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. to improve security for wildlife, including wolves that regularly den there.

“This wildlife closure is for all modes of travel, including cyclists,” said Rubeling.

“The cycling offer really is at 8 in the morning until 8 at night to allow that space for wildlife at a critical time of year.”

Vehicle access to Johnston Canyon and campground remains open during the pilot and the seasonal wildlife closure via Castle Junction.

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