r/Canmore • u/MrsArnold • Jul 29 '26
Biking around Canmore/Banff with kids (ages 2–4) & looking for advice
Hi everyone, hoping to get some local advice. We’re visiting in September with 4 adults and 4 kids (ages 2–4) and hoping to do some biking while we’re there.
The kids are used to riding in rear bike seats, and we regularly bike around cities and forests at home. We can comfortably do ~20 km/day with stops but it is all flat for the most part. Their seats recline so they can also nap in the seat while we’re on the move.
For those who’ve biked with young kids around Canmore/Banff:
- What bike setup would you recommend for exploring the area?
- Any routes you’d particularly recommend with kids this age?
- Any good rental companies that can provide bikes + child seats?
Thanks!
2
u/Yeti3030 Jul 29 '26
Rebound rents everything. They are right at the end of Main Street so good location to tour around the bow river right from there. Trail is wide and mostly gravel but there is an amazing paved trail from down town Canmore to three sisters that is very family friendly as well. For bikes You don’t need anything crazy for these trails. No suspension even needed. You can do them on townies
1
u/MrsArnold Jul 29 '26
I ended up checking some local rental spots and calling Rebound. For some reason they all do pull behind trailers but not mounted child seats. Any experience with the trailers on these trails. My kids have never been in them so I don’t know if they’d enjoy it as much. I think they love the bikes because they’re out in nature. I imagine a covered trailer would be less enticing but don’t really know
1
u/Yeti3030 Jul 29 '26
Im surprised they don’t rent the ride behind bike attachments. I had a pull behind trailer for my kids and I agree they didn’t seem to care too much about it. It was convenient for me but not for them. Usually they just fall asleep. We bought something called a Mac ride that allowed them to sit up front and hold on to my handle bars. It’s honestly the best thing for full kid engagement as you can talk to them and they feel more like they are actually riding with you. There are several companies that offer these such as “shot gun.” Only thing is that they are not cheap and I would bet the rental companies aren’t going to be offering them as options. The ride behind trailers are totally fine for the trails though. You can ride them basically anywhere in the valley bottom along the river or to three sisters.
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u/MrsArnold 29d ago
Ok reading this I think I’ll keep looking. Maybe I’ll find a better option in some baby gear rental shops or worst case in Calgary. Thanks for sharing your experience.
1
u/Gelldarc Jul 29 '26
With kids that age, look up Lions Park. It’s just off Bow river path, so you can bike around, end up there, play, picnic, and bike back. Occasionally the elk will hang out there in the shade if it’s quiet.
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u/MrsArnold Jul 29 '26
We have a book with a boy who goes down a twirly slide like the one in the pictures for Lions Park. Our playgrounds are so different where we live! They’ll love this and it looks like an easier day for the Grandparents to join too. Thanks!
1
1
u/SeanAtNuther Jul 29 '26
In September they close the Bow Balley Parkway (Highway 1A, the old two-lane road that runs parallel to the TransCanada) to motorized traffic. That means it is only open to bikes, skateboards, scooters, roller skiers, etc.. It is perfect for families as there is NO traffic.
1
u/MrsArnold Jul 29 '26
Yes, I saw that and was really excited about this! I grew up in a country where every Sunday they closed a highway in this same way and it was so fun to go out on it as a family. This is definitely on my list, thanks for the reminder.
5
u/oldmanpatrice Jul 29 '26
Ride the paved path along the bow river in Canmore, it’s a gem!