Calgary’s municipal election is October 20, and candidates are in full campaign mode. This year, we are encouraging everyone to try to talk to all of their candidates about active transportation. While some candidates have been open about not supporting bike lanes, it is important that they hear from you. Your voice helps show that Calgarians care about active transportation and could help shift a candidate’s perspective. Below are some tips and resources to meet your candidates and have a productive discussion.
Find your candidates
Find your ward: https://www.calgary.ca/council/findyourcouncillor.html
Candidate profiles with links to their websites : https://www.sprawlcalgary.com/calgary-election-candidates-2025
Meet your candidates
Attend a forum or debate
Most forums will have time before or after for you to meet and talk to the candidates.You may also be able to ask questions during the debate.
List of forums and debates: https://www.sprawlcalgary.com/calgary-election-forums-2025
Community associations or other groups may also have additional candidate events. You can reach out to any that you are a part of to check.
Setup a Meeting
To set up a meeting with a candidate, contact them via their email or phone number on their website. You ask to meet in person, online, by phone, or see if candidates will join you for a ride. You can invite family, friends, and neighbors to the meeting, or invite candidates to a community event.
Have a Meaningful Discussion
Introduce yourself, and try to find something that you can connect with your candidates about. This helps make you more relatable, and candidates will be more open to listening. Ask questions and show that you are interested in what they have to say. When you talk about biking, share your stories and why you ride. While facts are good, stories are more memorable.
Find out when, where, and how to vote: https://www.electionscalgary.ca/for-voters.html
See our last blog on Bike Calgary’s ideal candidate: https://bikecalgary.org/calgary-municipal-election-2025-bike-calgarys-ideal-candidate/