‘You blew it — badly!’ Arrival of e-bikes in Banff sparks public outcry – By Tyler Dawson (National Post) / Aug 16, 2022
The backlash highlights increasing tensions over the use of e-bikes, which have been controversial inside and outside of parks
The use of partly motorized bicycles in Banff National Park has caused a minor controversy, with a number of people writing to Parks Canada with complaints about the vehicles, access to information documents show.
In December 2021, Parks Canada adopted new rules that would allow bikes with electric motors — e-bikes — to be used on some trails within the national park. Historically, motorized locomotion has been verboten, and bicycle use, motorized or human-powered, remains relegated to certain trails within national parks.
“What could you possibly be thinking to allow this type of transport in the backcountry! It is motorized transport, plain & simple,” says an email from Devon, Alta., sent in December 2021. “You blew it — badly!… This is not what Parks Canada allegedly stands for. I’m embarrassed for you and angry with you. Canadians rely on you to protect our parks!”
Their use is heavily restricted within Banff but rules around where they can be used differ across the parks in Canada. One writer took issue with the strictness of the rules in Banff.
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