The Town of Innisfail has posted new online information to clear up confusion about where e-bikes and e-scooters can be used, after residents raised safety concerns. The micromobility FAQs, published July 14, 2026, lay out what is allowed on local roads and pathways under both provincial law and Innisfail’s own bylaws.
Privately owned e-scooters are not permitted on any public roads, sidewalks, or pathways anywhere in Alberta. This rule comes from the provincial Traffic Safety Act and applies to every community in the province. E-bikes are legal on public roads only if they have pedals and a motor that does not exceed 500 watts, with a top assisted speed of 32 km/h. In Innisfail parks, the speed limit for e-bikes drops to 20 km/h.
Helmets are required for all e-bike riders on public roads under provincial law. The town goes further: anyone under 18 on any wheeled device, whether electric or not, must wear a helmet. Children under 12 are not allowed to operate e-bikes anywhere in Alberta. E-dirt bikes and mini-motorcycles are also banned from public roads and cannot be registered or insured.
The push for clearer rules started in March 2026, when council asked staff to review traffic and parks bylaws after Councillor Jason Heistad pointed to unsafe riding, including riders without helmets and excessive speeds. Protective Services Director Gary Leith told council that while the province controls what vehicles can be on roads, the town can still enforce and educate through its own bylaws.
Right now, municipalities cannot pass their own bylaws to allow personal e-scooters on public roads. Only the province can grant exemptions, like those for shared scooter programs in cities such as Calgary and Edmonton. Alberta is looking at changes to the Traffic Safety Act that would let towns and cities decide if they want to permit personal micromobility devices, but no timeline has been set.
The town’s information page is meant to give residents one clear place to find the rules. “If regulations are enforced they could help increase safety,” said Councillor Shawn Russell, who rides an e-bike daily and supports the existing rules.
