Why You Should Explore Banff Town on a Moped
Banff town is a quaint, village-like area with shops and restaurants that could be explored by foot, but not so much by car. Still, to battle aching feet or being grounded inside a rumbling metal beast in search of parking spots, there lies a better option: the moped.
The moped is perfect. It will allow you to navigate narrow, winding roads with ease and diverge from traffic if it gets chaotic. Travel faster than by foot, with the wind in your hair, yet not confined within a car. With a moped, you’re riding through the landscapes, not watching it pass by through a rolled down window. The ease of maneuverability allows you to make pit stops anywhere when something catches your eye—this was fantastic as I could quickly halt, hop off my moped and capture photographs of towering mountains and waterfalls whenever I pleased.
I rented a moped from Banff Scooter Company LTD. Conveniently located on Banff Avenue, it was easy to spot with the bright orange mopeds parked near the entrance. The lovely couple at the counter helped my sister and I fill in forms and make a damage deposit after we presented our driver’s licenses. Then they brought us to the other end of their office to fit helmets. Once all admin stuff was cleared, we headed outside, learned how to turn on and off the moped, and walked our mopeds across the street to a large, empty parking lot.
We needed to learn how to drive them first.
As someone who’s adept at driving cars and riding bikes, I assumed it was going to be a breeze. The owner had us ride around the parking lot, slowly at first to get a feel of it. Navigating the steering wheel and braking were tougher than I thought, but I got the hang of within 30 minutes. Riding on actual Banff streets was the next part.
The owner gives you a verbal map of where to go and what to see. If you remember the main points, it’s easy to not get lost. We drove on well-kept roads, past green fields, looming mountains and came across lakes and waterfalls.
Driving a moped through Banff is easily one of the most fun and relaxing way to tour the area. You see so much in way less time and it’s relatively inexpensive—my sister and I rented the mopeds for two hours, which came to be CAD $35/hour and included the helmet, lock and gas. Two hours were enough for us. However, the three-hour option is great if you will stop to eat at a restaurant or shop.
The mopeds are in excellent condition and come with a large enough component under the seat, where I kept my DSLR. The mopeds are usually available from spring to early fall. Although you can reserve a moped ahead of time, my sister and I were able to rent ours upon walking in. If you visit Banff, I recommend doing a self-guided tour with a moped to take in the brilliant scenery.
Let me know in the comments below, where have you explored on a moped or scooter?
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Banff Scooter Company LTD. I just think they were great!
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That’s a reasonable price for a moped in Banff. It sounds like a relaxing way to explore this stunning area, though I’d go no matter what transport! Will look up this company if I ever get to Banff 😀
The prices were reasonable and the experience was awesome! Definitely look into it if you visit Banff.
Oh my goodness I love it! My friend and I have actually been talking about going up to Banff this summer and exploring it a bit. What a fun way to do so: mopeds! I’m totally going to pitch this idea to her! Thanks for sharing and your pictures are lovely!
Sounds fantastic, Rachelle, let me know how it goes 🙂
I love this idea! Often times in National Parks it’s constant stop-go traffic anyway, it’d be great to be on a moped so it’s a quick hop on and off for the sites and for hikes. You’d definitely wouldn’t want to face any wildlife while on the moped, but this sounds amazing. Definitely an adventure!
Ugh, I experienced the constant stop-go traffic when I visited Lake Moraine in Banff mid-afternoon. Really wish I was riding a moped then instead of in a car, but we were lucky to find parking quite quickly!
Wow, must have been an experience driving down these beautiful roads on a moped, i wish I knew how to drive, but nevertheless i think walking down the roads could be fun too, but dont know if it would be risky, I mean who would want to bump into a wild animal
A lot of people were walking along the sidewalks. Funny you mention that, I spent my entire Banff trip hoping to see a wild animal, but I never did! All I got was chipmunks.
Good to note that you got to get comfortable with the moped before you zoomed off. Mopeds are geared two wheelers, aren’t they? Somehow I have never been comfortable with one . If it is gearless I tend to enjoy it . Any journey on two wheelers is a lot of fun and am sure Banff for you was too.
It sure was a lot of fun!
It possible to explore Goa, India on a moped.
I feel 2 hours is too short a time to explore a place. You got excellent pics in this duration.
Well you’re not exploring all of Banff in two hours, just the town and surrounding area!
That is an interesting way to explore Banff. I have to say that this is definitely my kind of destination. The quaint shops and small town feel demands to be explored. I think the moped is such a great way to explore the off-beaten path, so to speak. I haven’t ridden one but I see why it makes sense to use it for this particular town.
A moped is an amazingly fun way to explore! And it’s very easy to go off the beaten path with one 🙂
You were so brave. I would never rent a moped on the fly like that having never ridden one before!! I’m lucky though that my husband is a proficient motorcycle rIder so if they had one built for two I could just hop on the back. It sure looks like a fun way to see the area. Your photos are amazing!
I admit I was a bit nervous at first, Natalie! Confidence is key and and telling yourself you can do it!
I loved the way you had experienced the Banff town. I like experiencing the quint towns and whats a great way to explore it on a moped. I haven’t experienced a moped ride so far but why not. I will do it someday. The location is too perfect for me.
I hope you do, Parnashree! Let me know how it goes 🙂
I’m not sure I would want to hire a moped or bike but I like the idea of being able to hop on and off. Especially given the scenery is so epic
Yep, being able to park anywhere and hop on and off was the awesome part!
This would be so fun – being out in the open air is the best way to explore and enjoy nature. Good to know I could carry my DSLR in the seat hold. Banff is so beautiful!
Banff is gorgeous, and it’s a great way for photographers to tour the area!
What a fabulous way to explore Banff! I’d never dreamed of travelling via a moped! But then again, that’s probably because I have Banff listed as my ultimate winter destination and not so sure how the moped would hold up in the middle of winter ha ha! I can’t wait to visit one year, it’s truly beautiful. If I’m there in warmer months then a moped sounds great!
Banff is so beautiful in the winter. Mopeds aren’t open for rent then, but if you’re there during the warmer months, definitely give it a try!
I love exploring new places by moped or bike! Although I don’t actually have a license myself yet, I tend to make my friends/travel companions rent and take full advantage of being a back seat rider!
Banff looks gorgeous, and I can totally see how it’s be much more convenient to get around by tiny little moped instead of full sized 4-wheeler!
Being a back-seat rider can be great! It really is one of the best ways of exploring a place!
The Banff town looks quiet and quaint indeed should make for a great weekend getaway. Love those pictures town and lush forests. Its been a while since we rode a moped it would be a completely different experience, would love to visit Banff.
Glad this post inspired you! Hope you visit Banff soon.
Banff town looks quaint and gorgeous. Definitely an ideal place to explore in a moped. Although I have never ridden a two wheeler except bicycles, I do enjoy the rides. It is so good to see you two sisters travelling together. I myself travel a lot with my sister :).
Sisters can make the perfect travel buddies! It’s a bit different riding a two-wheeler with a motor, but it’s great fun once you get the hang of it!