Another Edmonton neighbourhood opposing new bike lane
Posted August 5, 2026 5:00 pm.
Last Updated August 6, 2026 5:21 pm.
Yet another Edmonton neighbourhood is fighting a new bike lane, and it’s in the same city ward as another highly contested bike lane.
This new bike lane stretching 25 blocks along 79 Street in southeast Edmonton is sparking concerns about parking.
Most streets along the route between 76 and 101 avenues would have street parking removed from both sides of the road, including near Holyrood Elementary School.
“I’m not happy with it,” said resident Jackie Huizinga, who opposes the bike lane. “People need places to park. It’s already busy around here.”
While some are angered their street parking is being taken away, others are excited to have another way to get around.
“It’s really important that this stretch gets built out, because it provides a continuous flow through, especially that we’re not well-served by transit,” said Alison McIntosh, who lives in Forest Heights.
Then there are residents like Nora Parker, who are still on the fence.
“I’m a cyclist, so I’m supportive of bike lanes, but as a resident of Holyrood, I understand people like to park in front of their properties,” Parker said.
This new debate comes not too long after a protest on 50 Street, where neighbours complained about losing parking.
Both those bike lanes are in Ward Métis. Councillor Ashley Salvador says while those living on 50 Street were able to have the city draw up different plans, 79 Street is too small for that, and already has a long line of older trees just off the edge of the curb.
“In this case it does mean that there will be loss of parking in some locations,” Salvador said. “But we’re trying to build a network that works for everyone, and that means providing safe and protective active modes for people to get around.”
Salvador adds this is part of an expansion of the city’s active transportation network, highlighting the new bike lane as a critical north-south connection that would tie several communities together.
As for consultation with residents, the councillor says the city already had broader public discussions several years ago.
“As part of this rollout, the city isn’t doing block by block individual engagement,” she said. “It really is about how do we choose the correct roads to build out that connected network.”
The bike lane is set to move forward with construction, but some residents wanted better communication from the city.
“Whether they checked around here with some of the people, I’m not sure,” one resident told CityNews.
“I think the city has an obligation to inform people about what their plans are, because it’s going to have an immediate effect on homeowners in this area,” said another. “I think they should be prepared to listen to their feedback.”
