Edmonton, AB - River Valley East Preview

Welcome to our Edmonton East e-bike tour.

Safety is our first priority. You will have already had a safety briefing from the Pedego staff on how to use the ebike.

Remember the number 1 safety rule, always set your LCD screen to 0 before getting on or off the bike.

Do not let your screen distract you from riding and from what is going on around you. If you need to stop and look at directions, please pull to the side of the trail or road when it is safe to do so. Also, please remember to look behind you before you start again, to make sure your path is clear.

If you have any questions about how the tour software works, or how your bike works, please talk to a Pedego Staff member.

We hope you enjoy your ride, and some of the stops along the way.

?ᑳᐦᐊᓯᓃᐢᑳᐠ or Kâhasinîskâk, and pronounced kâ-(h)a-si-nî-skâk, is a historical Cree reference to Mill Creek. It translates as “slow moving water over stones” in English, and connects visibly to the fact that the City of Edmonton sits on Treaty 6 territory." As cyclists, we feel tuned into nature and history in a way that isn't always possible in a car. You can move slower when you want to deepen your connection to what's around you. This bridge helps us feel that, even more so when stop to know it's meaning.

Bike First Perspective: We love the look of this bridge and the way the shadows cast differently throughout the day. As cyclists it is fun to trace the wavy shadows with our tires as we cross the bridge. The views from here are also amazing.

To read more check out the link to the City of Edmonton.

This dramatic sculpture, with a magnificent wingspan of 17 metres, is symbol of world peace and a welcome to all who visit Gallagher Park. The Edmonton Art's Council tells us, the Dove of Peace commemorates the 1984 papal visit and illustrates the varied history tucked away in different neighbourhoods. Did you know that Gallagher Hill was once hosted a landfull and incinerator? Now, it's home to Edmonton Folk Fest among other fun events.

Bike First Perspective: This sculpture looks like it is about to take off, the same way we feel when we ride down the glorious hills of Gallager Park. It is most picturesque on the crisp days of winter with blue skies and snow in the background, for those of you brave winter tour takers.

This botanically-themed sculpture found at the Muttart LRT stop, on Edmonton's Valley Line, references the flora and fauna flourishing inside the famed Muttart Conservatory. It offers an organic contrast to its glass pyramids, so prominent in our city’s skyline. We've learned from the Edmonton Art Council it was created by Stephanie Jonsson.

Bike First Perspective: We love the incorporation of public art into public transportation! What better way to wait for your train than to have a beautiful piece of art to enjoy. We love riding by these leafy works of art; they just brighten our day!

Now, is the time to decide if you would like a shorter or longer ride.

If you would like a shorter ride you may cross the river on the Tawatinâ Bridge by heading straight.

Once you are over the bridge you will continue to the left.

If you would like a longer ride, please follow the path to the right.

The Magrath Mansion is a two-and-one-half-storey home located on a large city lot overlooking the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton's Highlands neighbourhood. Canada's Historic Places says "built between 1912 and 1913, the red-brick mansion is an eclectic construction with a stately design strongly influenced by the Georgian Revival and Neoclassical architectural styles."

Bike First Perspective: It's a beautiful property and we love the view and proximity of the river valley. This is such a pretty street to ride down while envisioning life here in the early 1900s. Did they ride bikes by the river too?

The Tawatinâ Bridge, (pronounced də-WAH-tin-now), crosses the North Saskatchewan River. The upper deck carries the LRT for the Valley Line, while the lower deck is a shared use space and for enjoying art—the ceiling features artwork by Indigenous artist David Garneau. You can use the QR code provided at either end of the bridge to learn more about the art. You can also check out provide links to the Edmonton Arts Council.

Bike First Perspective: This bridge is an important connector for those cycle commuting across the river. We love the incorporation of Indigenous art and the expansive views available from this bridge. It is a joy and a privilege to cross this beautiful bridge.

The vibrant delights we're looking at here are on the under side of the James McDonald Bridge. Information on these pieces of graffiti is hard to come by but what we do know is that the project was commissioned by the Rossdale Community League with funding from the City of Edmonton Anti-Graffiti Grant Program. The artists go by Nomadic Alternatives. Anyway, we think they are delightful and a beautiful way to brighten up this space.

The artists go by the name Nomadic Alternatives.

Bike First Perspective: Riding under a bridge can sometimes feel intimidating. But not here, these beautiful bright art pieces blend in with the river valley and make the underside of what could be a dreary bridge seem light and inviting. Stay a while and snap some photos!

The Magpies’ Nests pays tribute to the complex interactions between humans and nature as well as considering the concept of ​“home." The welded steel nests on top of four plinths relate to structures built in Edmonton, or at least that's what the Edmonton Arts Council says. The Magpie is a mischevious and intelligent bird in the family Corvidae. This art installation was created by Kevin Sehn & Chai Duncan.

Bike First Perspective: Taking in the whole scene, we just kind of like the way the bright steel structures act as nests. They are normally organic! The bright colours reminds us of our beautiful bikes as they interact with nature in the River Valley. Hey, we told you at the beginning of this tour we would have a bike forward perspective.

Rossdale was a burying ground for Aboriginals and others who lived in Fort Edmonton and the surrounding area. The human remains were reburied here at a special ceremony in August of 2006 and the site is now legally designated as a cemetery or burial ground.

Bike First Perspective: Riding our bikes allows us to feel more connected to our surroundings. We feel every turn, hill, and motion. The wind, the elements, they are all apart of the ride. We notice more and we feel more. When we ride by a site of significance like the Rossdale Memorial, we feel inclined to stop, feel and remember. Stillness is part of the experience too.

The Walterdale bridge celebrated it's grand opening in September 2018. Since then it has become an unmistakable landmark in the Edmonton skyline. It boasts three traffic lanes and a beautiful multi-use path with great spots to stop for picture taking and enjoying the view. If you are here on a beautiful summer day you may even see the Edmonton Queen River Boat floating near by.

Bike First Perspective: What's not to love about this glorious multi-use trail! It connects seamlessly into bike paths on the north and south side of the river. The views from and approaching this bridge aren't half bad either. We love to see all the people out enjoying the river valley and the views from the pedestrian deck.

Lot 11 was a venture among the City of Edmonton, Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations, Métis Nation of Alberta, the Edmonton Arts Council and Indigenous artists. There are six art installations created by Indigenous artists. We encourage you to check out the links provided to learn more about each of the different art installations at this park.

Bike First Perspective: Each hill we climb, every downhill and every pedal stroke helps us feel connected to the land and our surroundings. It is important to us to take time to share in our appreciation of the land and learning more about the Indigenous perspective of the land we ride on. It helps us to feel connected to the past, present and future. We endeavour to be stewards of the land so that this place may be home to many future generations. We are grateful for these places of reflection, learning and understanding.

Trolly Tune and The Cosmopolitan Music Society are on the back of the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre. Both murals are by Tim Heimdal and they pay homage to the rich cultural scene of the Old Strathcona neighbourhood.

Bike First Perspective: We're starting to get big heads about how much public art there is in Edmonton and how much of it is so easily accesible by bike. Was it placed there just for us? Or when we are on a bike, do we simply just connect more with our surroundings - opening ourselves up to seeing more and being more in the moment?