Bylaws related to parks and pathways

The Parks & Pathways Bylaw contains regulations to help make our parks and pathways more safe and enjoyable for everyone. The following is an overview and the complete document is available for download Parks & Pathways Bylaw.

Violations of this bylaw are subject to fines ranging between $50 and $1500.

• Stay on designated trails.
• Do not litter.
• Do not disturb or feed wildlife, including birds.
• Only electric recreational vehicles listed on the web​ are permitted on the pathways, such as electric assisted bicycles.

You must obey posted signs, as they are there to alert you to important rules and regulations. These rules were designed for your safety and security.

• The speed limit along the pathways is 20 km per hour, unless otherwise posted, regardless of the type of vehicle being used.
• Respect the rights of others.
• Stay to the right side of the pathway except when passing.
• Do not pass in sections with a double yellow line.
• When using a recreational vehicle such a bicycle or segway, use a bell, whistle or horn when passing others.
• Yield to the right of way.
• Everyone, including walkers and joggers, must be visible to other pathway users.
• Pedal assist electric bicycles are allowed on pathways, except where bicycles are prohibited.
• Power on demand electric or gas bicycles are not allowed on pathways.

Visit the Calgary Pathways & Bikeways map to access more information while you are on the go.

• It is law that all youth under 18, must wear a CSA, ATM or Snell-approved helmet.
• Make sure your bike is equipped with at least one working brake and a bell, horn or other alerting device.
• If you’re riding your bike at night, it must have at least one red taillight, one white headlight and one red reflector mounted at the rear.

• We recommend you wear an approved helmet, elbow and wrist protectors and knee pads.
• If you’re in-line skating at night, you must have clear or red lights affixed to your body or clothing that are visible from both the front and back.

• It is illegal to prune or remove a tree on City land.
• Leave the park the way you found it. Don't collect plant or animal material or cause damage to a park.
• Don’t pick or pull weeds without a permit. In some cases, Calgary Parks is utilizing bugs to destroy entire areas of a very specific weed. Pulling a weed may inadvertently destroy these helpful bugs.
  

• All dogs must be on a leash that is no more than 2 metres long.
• All dogs must be on a leash unless in a designated, signed off-leash area.
• Pick up your dog's waste.
• Dogs must stay on the right side of the pathway unless passing.
• You cannot cycle or in-line skate on a pathway with a leashed dog, unless you are operating a wheeled device designed for people with disabilities.​
• All dogs must be under their owner's control in an off-leash area. This means they must respond to sign and sound commands.
• Download the City of Calgary Pets App to access more information on the go.

Calgary's parks and pathways are regulated by the Parks & Pathways Bylaw.

This page is an overview of these regulations. Original copies of the bylaw are available at the City Clerks office.

How to file a complaint and what happens to it

If you know of a bylaw infraction and would like to report it, please call 311 or, if you’re outside the city, 403-268-CITY (2489). You can also report it online or through the 311 App.

Search our bylaws

To learn about other Calgary bylaws, search by topic.