Bowness Park unveils ice bikes, new 1.6 kilometre skating trail
'Tis the season for physically distanced outdoor activities.
Bowness Park is unveiling two new winter attractions before year's end, including a 1.6-kilometre skating trail and rentable ice bikes. Calgary will be the first city in Canada to offer the winter cycles, which are traditional bikes mounted on a sled-like platform.
“It's brand new to Canada and we are proud to offer 10 bikes specially designed for use on the ice,” area Coun. Ward Sutherland said in a statement.
The winter-favourite Bowness lagoon will remain open in addition to the new trail, which is approximately eight centimetres thick and was created by flooding the grass near the edge of the park closest to the Bow River. It's expected to open before the new year.
Once open, park visitors will be able to skate between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Ice bikes are available for rent immediately from the Bowness Park Skate Shop. Adult and children-sized bikes can be rented for $12 per half-hour or $20 per hour, and helmets are mandatory for those under 18.
COVID-19 safety measures will be adhered to, said parks manager Todd Reichardt with the City of Calgary. Between each rental, the bikes will be sanitized and cleaned.
Visitors will be asked to maintain a two-metre distance and wear masks when using the equipment.
Locals must also adhere to current restrictions that prohibit social gatherings, except with members of your immediate household.
“Users can pedal and steer around the ice as they would on a road. The bikes are single speed and users can simply pedal backwards to stop,” the city said in a statement. “Ice bikes accommodate a wide range of ages and users, including those with physical accessibility challenges.”
Visit calgary.ca/bownesspark for additional information on the ice trail and calgary.ca/icebikes to reserve an ice bike online.