Watch Biketown, Then Go Ride Your Bike and Be Part of Something Big
- Good Time Ride Co.
- Mar 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 4
We watched Biketown years ago, and it stuck with us.
It’s one of those films that makes you pause and think about the trails you ride all the time and how much work actually goes into them. We watched it again recently and it hit just as hard the second time, and it feels especially relevant right now in Edmonton.
It’s about 40 minutes long, and very worth your time.
What Biketown is really about
On the surface, Biketown is about trail development in a handful of communities across North America. It's also a deep exploration about the relationships that make riding possible. Riders, landowners, governments, volunteers, and advocates all play a role. It’s about the people who show up, put in the time, and work through the complicated process of creating trails that communities can actually use.
It also highlights the reality that not everyone is immediately on board with sharing land or resources with mountain bikers. Those relationships take time, patience, and a lot of effort to build.
The truth is simple: trails don’t just happen. They are built, maintained, protected, and sometimes fought for by people who care deeply about riding bikes.
This has been happening right here in Edmonton (for years)
That’s what makes this film feel especially relevant to our mountain biking community in Edmonton.
Something significant and very exciting has been taking shape here. The city now has its first mountain bike park, and it represents years of work behind the scenes.
This project is about more than just a new place to ride. It reflects long-term advocacy, planning, collaboration, fundraising, and a huge amount of volunteer effort.
The Edmonton Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA) has been central to that work. They collaborate with the City, coordinate donors, train volunteers, build and maintain trails, and help navigate the many considerations that come with developing shared outdoor spaces.
The new bike park will include flow trails with green and blue options, a skills park, a jump park, and a pump track. It creates a space where riders can learn, progress, and spend time on their bikes in a purpose-built environment.
It’s a meaningful addition to the riding community in Edmonton, and it took a heck of a lot of work to make it happen.
Knowing where trails come from matters (even if you just want to ride)
It’s easy to think of trails as something that simply exist.
But every feature, every bridge, and every section of singletrack is there because people put in the time to make it happen, often over many years.
Biketown captures that really well. When you look at what’s been built here in Edmonton, it brings that idea a lot closer to home.
Projects like the new bike park can look like they come together quickly once construction starts, but they’re built on years of planning, advocacy, and behind-the-scenes work that most riders never see.
If you value riding in this city, and are grateful for the river valley, the community, and the chance to build mountain bike skills and explore, this is the work that makes all of it possible.
You don’t have to go all in to be part of this
Getting involved doesn’t mean committing all of your time or suddenly becoming a trail builder.
You don’t have to give up your weekends or take on a full-time role maintaining trails. Although if you do decide to do a little bit more maintenance in the river valley instead of your own backyard, we support that.
Jumping in to help can look like:
joining a volunteer trail day
learning more about how trails are built and maintained
encouraging others to respect and care for shared spaces
understanding and practicing proper trail etiquette in Edmonton
Even small contributions make a big difference over time.
Start with Biketown, then look around
Make the time to watch Biketown. It’s worth it. (We're bound to have at least one rainy day during the summer, you’ll have time.)
But if you’ve only got a couple of minutes, start with the trailer. It’ll give you a feel for what it’s all about.
Then take a look at what’s happening here in Edmonton, especially with the new bike park. Notice the work that has gone into it and consider how you might want to be part of something like that.
Good trails and good riding don’t happen by accident. They happen because people (like you) show up!
Getting involved in a community initiative like an EMBA trail day is also a great way to meet people, spend time outside, and feel more connected to the places you ride. The only way you won’t enjoy yourself is if you forget your insect repellent during peak mosquito season!
We want you to ride with us
If you’re looking for more time on your bike, whether that means building skills, meeting people, or just enjoying the trails, we’d love to ride with you.
Check out our mountain bike skills clinics
Support EMBA by becoming a member
Becoming an EMBA member is one of the simplest ways to support mountain biking in Edmonton.
Your membership helps fund trail building and maintenance, supports advocacy work with the City, and allows EMBA to keep developing and improving the trail network over time.
It also helps build a strong, connected community of riders who care about the future of the places we ride.
As a member, you’ll get:
access to trail days and community events
a monthly newsletter with updates and opportunities to get involved
a digital membership card with discounts at partner shops
the chance to be part of conversations that shape the future of mountain biking in Edmonton
But more than anything, you’re helping make sure there are great places to ride; for you, for your friends, and for anyone just getting started.
Get your EMBA membership today!
