What do food and bikes have in common? Both can be a way in — a key to experiencing the city from a completely different perspective.
And that’s exactly the spirit behind Food Bike Tours, an Edmonton-born company that has grown into a full-blown food and cycling experience across Alberta. Now heading into its ninth year, Food Bike Tours operates more than 50 e-bikes across Edmonton, Calgary and Canmore — a major feat, especially considering founder Vanessa De Oliveira didn’t even own a bike when she started.
“Before that, I had actually started an ice cream business,” she laughs. “I was such a rookie and that was my first business endeavour and I lost everything. I lost all my savings. I was literally cursed from the start.”
A lifelong foodie, De Oliveira was serving tables at Earl’s around the time she began her tour operation and recalls overhearing customers talking about a new “food bike tour” in town, not realizing their server was the one running it. That’s when she knew this wouldn’t be another ice cream venture.
In her first year, De Oliveira says she held nine events, each of them selling out. One event had as many as 40 people arrive on bikes, though she admitted it was too much and has since cut the number of tour attendees to 30.
Now, the tour runs like a well-oiled chain. Guests can choose between various themed experiences, including the Signature Food Bike Tour (which features three restaurant stops that rotate each month), a Festival Food Bike Tour (which includes Taste of Edmonton and KDays) and a special Donut Bike Tour in honour of International Donut day.
Tours take place primarily on Saturdays and cover approximately 25 kilometres — e-bikes with pedal assist make the ride accessible to most. If you fancy a fitness session with your food tour, you can even bring your own wheels for a small discount.
“We’ve had kids of age eight to people over 70-years-old come on our tour,” says De Oliveira. “The e-bike is definitely the option you want to take if you’re not an athlete.”
Each tour isn’t just a chance to sample tasty treats — it’s also about hearing the stories behind Edmonton’s restaurants, neighbourhoods, murals and people. “It’s the behind-the-scenes experience where you get to learn that story,” she says.
Tickets start at $69 and go up to $129 depending on the experience. For those who prefer two feet on the ground at all times, there’s also a walking food tour along 124th Street.
