Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone

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The 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue were closed to vehicles on May 14 to prepare for implementation of the summer pedestrian zone. Gates are being installed to allow Roam Transit to continue service in the zone, while planters, public seating and additional bike racks are being added to the area. Businesses with permits are able to start setting up patios or displays. 

For the long-term, Banff Town Council decided on May 13 to hold a vote on August 12 on whether or not to have a pedestrian zone on Banff Avenue every summer. 

The pedestrian zone fully opens for the May Long Weekend and Parks Canada has approved continuation of the pilot to include restaurant patios and retail displays, while working with the Town on future decisions about commercial activity in the public realm. 

The pedestrian zone will continue until Thanksgiving Long Weekend or until a few weeks after the August 12 vote, if the majority vote against a pedestrian zone. For details, visit banff.ca/Vote

The decision to hold a vote was triggered by a petition to change council’s decision to have an annual pedestrian zone from May Long Weekend to Thanksgiving Long Weekend. A petition is part of a democratic process enabled by the Municipal Government Act (MGA) with specific requirements. 

The pedestrian zone will be in the same format as in 2023, inclusive of commercial development and the roadway open to pedestrians, bicycles, skateboarders, and Roam Transit. Cyclists and skateboards must travel slowly and must yield to pedestrians.

According to the MGA, the vote of the electors on August 12, 2024:

  • will have the same MGA and Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) requirements as in a municipal election: voters must be Canadian citizens, 18 years of age or older and reside in Banff. 
  • If the majority of those who vote are in favour of rescinding the decision to have a pedestrian zone (opposed to a pedestrian zone), Council must, within 30 days of the vote, pass second and third reading of the bylaw rescind the original decision, and the action to reopen to vehicles must be implemented in a reasonable time.
  • If the majority of those who vote are opposed to rescinding the decision to have a pedestrian zone (in favour of a pedestrian zone), the bylaw does not proceed and the current direction stands.

Details about the vote of electors is available at banff.ca/vote.

Information about the Pedestrian Zone consultation in late 2023 is available at banffviewpoints.ca/banffave

Applications for Sidewalk Seating and Outdoor Merchandising

At this time, the Town is accepting applications for Sidewalk Seating and Outdoor Merchandising for the additional pilot year (May – October 2024). 

All permits issued for Sidewalk Seating and Outdoor Merchandising contain a condition that the Town may cancel the permit at any time and require immediate removal. In addition, amendments to the regulations around sidewalk seating (e.g. size; location; appearance) may be made by the Town at any time.  The Town may also require minor adjustments to layouts and operating hours for Special Events (e.g. Canada Day Parade).

Sidewalk Seating

Outdoor Merchandising

Ongoing discussions with Parks Canada regarding commercial development of public lands

(The following was prepared in collaboration with Parks Canada)

Following a number of discussions in the fall of 2023 between the Town of Banff and Parks Canada, in January 2024, Banff Town Council and administration received additional correspondence from Parks Canada requesting further discussion around the commercial development (i.e., restaurant patios and retail outlets) of public lands. 

Through these discussion and letters, Parks Canada has continued to confirm its support for pedestrian-friendly initiatives and public seating and spaces, but would like to discuss and better understand the commercial development of public lands. This is because, when it comes to private commercial development of public lands, for decades, Canadians have demanded, and Parks Canada and the Town of Banff have committed to careful management and protection of public spaces in Banff.

In response, Banff Town Council directed administration to continue its ongoing discussions with Parks Canada on the matter. The Town and Parks Canada look forward to continued discussions to ensure an aligned outcome.

Implications to the pedestrian zone: Notwithstanding the ongoing engagement with Parks Canada, the Town will continue with an additional year of commercial development (i.e., restaurant patios and retail outlets) on the roads and sidewalks of downtown Banff, which originated as part of the safety response to the COVID pandemic and continued with piloting the annual pedestrian zone as part of the economic recovery strategy. The pedestrian zone is set to open on the May Long Weekend.

Map of the Pedestrian Zone 2022

The best seat in Banff

This location is traditionally the busiest pedestrian area in the Town of Banff. Up to 30,000 pedestrians each day can stroll down Banff Avenue in summer season. The pedestrian zone allows for visitors to experience the majestic vistas of Banff in a manner never available before. Restaurants and stores offer sidewalk seating and retail displays along the pedestrian zone, and public amenities are provided including a free bike valet, public seating and occasional activation. 

Plan Ahead

Banff is only 4 square kilometres in area. Parking is very limited and navigating will be affected by detours. Visitors to the Banff townsite should plan their route to one of the main parking lots, all within 10 minutes walking distance of the downtown core.

  • If staying overnight in a hotel or camping, enter Banff at the Banff Avenue/Lake Minnewanka entrance. This is the quickest way to most hotels and the campgrounds. Take the free Roam Transit from the campground to downtown. Most hotels also offer transit passes so you can leave your vehicle in the parkade
  • If visiting Banff for the day, enter the townsite from the Mount Norquay Road entrance for quick access to the 9-hour free parking at the Train Station Parking Lot. This is an 8-minute walk to downtown. Parking downtown is paid parking

Drop-off sites 

  • A convenient drop-off site for drivers who want to get close to the centre of the Pedestrian Zone to drop off passengers then park elsewhere is at the Caribou Street gate, on the east side of Banff Avenue. Drivers heading south on Banff avenue should take the east detour at Wolf Street to Beaver Street, drive a block south, then west on Caribou Street to the gate
  • Two accessible stalls are added to Wolf Street and Buffalo Street to maintain nearby access to the Pedestrian Zone. Accessible stalls are also available on Bear Street
  • The parking lot beside the Visitor Centre and by the Banff Ave Square have accessible stalls for close access to the Pedestrian Zone

route to Train Station Parking Lot

Traffic in downtown Banff

Banff Avenue is an important transportation corridor for vehicles. The closure of 2 blocks in the downtown core will create some traffic congestion, likely on busy summer days due to the detours.

Vehicle traffic is diverted to adjacent streets, such as Lynx Street, Beaver Street, and to a lesser extent, Muskrat and Otter streets – on the east side of Banff Avenue, and Lynx and Buffalo streets – to the west and south of Banff Ave. Access to the south side through detours will be maintained.

Drivers are encouraged to park as soon as in town at the Train Station free parking lot, or in paid parking lots accessed from Beaver Street. Central Park also has a paid parking lot. In summer, downtown parking lots are usually full before noon.

  • Information on Visitor-Pay Parking 
  • A Bike Valet (free, staffed secure bicycle lockup) is available in the pedestrian zone. This is especially handy for people go to or coming back from the car-free  cycling the Bow Valley Parkway There are also additional bike racks in the pedestrian zone. More than 10 businesses rent e-bikes and bicycles in town. 

Travel time comparison on Banff Avenue

The Pedestrian Zone does add travel time to motorists driving south on Banff Avenue and on the detour to Beaver Street before returning to Banff Ave and the bridge to the south side. However, the congestion on the south side is caused by too many vehicles travelling to the gondola and hot pools, and experiencing full parking lots. In 2022, there were longer traffic delays experienced on Mountain Ave for drivers heading back downtown AFTER the pedestrian zone was reopened to vehicle traffic. The solution is for more visitors to use the free shuttle to the gondola and Roam transit to reach south side attractions, and to leave personal vehicles parked at hotels, campgrounds and the Train Station Parking Lot.

West Entrance to Downtown travel times – July long weekend through Sept long weekend

  • 2022 Average Max 7.5 minutes
  • 2022 Max 24 minutes
  • 2019 Average Max 10 minutes
  • 2019 Max 20 minutes

East Entrance to Downtown travel times – July long weekend through Sept long weekend

  • 2022 Average  Max 15.5 minutes
  • 2022 Max 39 minutes
  • 2019 Average Max 19.5 minutes
  • 2019 Max 44 minutes

Rimrock to Downtown travel times – July long weekend through Sept long weekend

  • 2022 Average Max 12 minutes
  • 2022 Max 20.5 minutes
  • 2019 Average Max 13 minutes
  • 2019 Max 42 minutes