E-bikes
Alberta calls an e-bike a power bicycle. Its rules define one by pointing to the federal definition of a power-assisted bicycle (Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation, s. 1(1)(o)). That federal definition required working pedals and a motor of 500 W or less that stops helping at 32 km/h. Ottawa dropped it from the federal safety regulations in 2021, and Alberta’s text still refers to it.
Riders must be 12 or older to ride on a highway. A rider under 18 must carry a parent’s or guardian’s consent form or hold an operator’s licence (Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation, s. 9). A rider under 16 can’t carry a passenger (Use of Highway regulation, s. 76).
The Traffic Safety Act treats a power bicycle as a cycle, alongside motorcycles and mopeds (s. 1(1)(i)). Every rider and passenger on a cycle must wear a safety helmet (Vehicle Equipment Regulation, s. 107), and the helmet must meet a motorcycle standard such as DOT FMVSS 218, Snell M or ECE 22.05 or 22.06 (s. 108). A bicycle helmet doesn’t meet the rule. The bike also needs a mirror (s. 110) and reflectors (s. 50).
E-scooters, Onewheels and e-unicycles
The Traffic Safety Act has no category for privately owned e-scooters or other electric micromobility devices. The City of Edmonton says that is why riding one on city property is prohibited. Calgary says personal e-scooters can’t be used on roads, sidewalks or in parks, but can use marked pathways at up to 20 km/h.
Shared rental e-scooters run under a provincial exemption granted to approved operators. Each city sets where they can go.
The province said in 2026 that it plans to amend the Traffic Safety Act to cover personal micromobility devices. No bill had been introduced as of October 28, 2026.
Cities
Cities set the rules for paths, parks and sidewalks. Calgary limits pathway speeds to 20 km/h for all riders.