I'm not a native to Edmonton, in fact, I've never been there. I've joined this tribe because I plan to travel through Edmonton later this Spring and I'm hoping to harvest some insights, advice and caveats from some current residents.

To keep it simple: I'm curious as to the "bike-ability" of Edmonton. Are there areas that are more bike-friendly than others? Is the city hell for bicyclists? I have found that biking is a great way to get a feel for a place and I'd like to do so during my train-trip through Canada.

I'm a graphic artist, programmer, animator and intermittent vagabond from Portland, Oregon. Any advice would be helpful regarding bikes, coffee, hostels, coops, wireless Internet locations and friendly science/art-minded individuals or communities.