Edmonton Minute: Winter Bikes, Wildfire Strategy, and Required Rideshare Training

Edmonton Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Edmonton politics

This Week In Edmonton:

• This morning, at 9:30 am, there will be a City Council Public Hearing regarding several proposed land use amendments.
  
  
• The Agenda Review Committee will meet on Tuesday at 8:30 am to set the agendas for upcoming meetings. Also on Tuesday, there will be a City Council Meeting at 9:30 am. Council will receive an update on Dutch Elm Disease, discuss the creation of an Infrastructure Standing Committee, and address a report on Transportation Projects Traffic Management. The agenda also includes the new Public Spaces Bylaw. If the meeting does not conclude on time, it will continue on Wednesday at 9:30 am.
  
  
• Lime is bringing its e-bikes back to Edmonton earlier than usual as part of a winter pilot program, offering residents an option for mobility despite the cold weather. The program follows a successful soft launch in January, where over 100 riders used the bikes. The bikes are equipped with winter tires and reflective wraps for safety, and they will be available along priority bike paths that the City clears quickly after a snowfall. Lime will remove the bikes in extreme weather conditions, such as temperatures below -30°C. Edmonton is one of only two Canadian cities testing winter riding.

Last Week In Edmonton:

• Edmonton has mandated that all taxi and rideshare drivers will be required to complete new training developed by the City. The training, which covers topics like accessibility, customer service, safety, and bylaw responsibilities, was introduced after residents raised concerns about the local vehicle-for-hire industry. Uber Canada has criticized the new requirements as excessive, noting that the training is more time-consuming than other cities' training and could impact drivers' ability to earn money. The City said that the training is intended to enhance service standards rather than create barriers.
  
  
• The City has added drones, prescribed burns, and a wildfire technician to its 2025 Wildfire Strategy to reduce fire risks, especially in the North Saskatchewan River Valley. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi emphasized the Valley's vulnerability, as it is the largest continuous urban parkland system in Canada. While recent snowfall has improved the fire outlook, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services will continue drone surveillance and vegetation management to identify high-risk areas. A prescribed burn is also planned for the 190-acre Northeast River Valley Park, depending on conditions. Alberta Wildfire officials anticipate the 2025 wildfire season will be less severe than the past two years.
  
  
• An extended cold spell has led to strain on Edmonton’s infrastructure, leading to a significant increase in the repair of broken pipes and potholes. City crews are addressing twice as many issues as last year, with a large temperature swing further stressing the system. EPCOR crews have already responded to 49 water main breaks in the last two and a half weeks, nearly doubling last February’s total. Pothole repairs are also in high demand, with the City spending $10 million annually on fixes, and crews filling around 12,000 potholes this year. The upcoming warm weather could accelerate road repairs as the City prepares for spring thaw.

-----

Donate:

Common Sense Edmonton doesn't accept any government funding and never will. We think you should be free to choose, for yourself, which organizations to support. If you're in a position to contribute financially, you can make a donation here.

-----

Share:

If you're not in a position to donate, we understand, but if you appreciate our work, you can help by spreading our message. Please email this post to your friends, share it on Facebook or Twitter, and help make sure every Edmontonian knows what's really going on at City Hall.