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Bridge jumping into water has continued in Airdrie despite posted warning signs, prompting the City to warn that it will begin issuing fines, with penalties extending to parents or guardians of youth offenders.
The enforcement follows a Streets Bylaw amendment passed on June 17. The City said fines are effective immediately.
"...The amendment addresses the dangerous activity of bridge jumping, which has raised serious concerns in areas including Bayside, Midtown and the Canals," the city stated in a news release.
“Safety is our top priority and jumping from bridges into stormwater ponds is extremely risky,” Mayor Peter Brown said in a June 30 news release. “The depth of these ponds are fluctuating constantly – they are not intended for recreational use and the water is untreated.”
Under the new rule:
“A person must not jump, dive, or otherwise propel themselves, or permit a minor under their supervision to jump, dive, or otherwise propel themselves, from any street, or street-related infrastructure, including pedestrian bridges, that is located above or directly beside a body of water, into the body of water.”
According to Schedule A of the bylaw:
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The specified penalty is $500
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A voluntary payment option of $250 is available to avoid prosecution
Earlier this month, DiscoverAirdrie reported that Municipal Enforcement had received 45 complaints in 2024 about youth gathering and jumping off canal bridges, prompting the City to close a gap in enforcement authority.
Brad Tomlinson, team leader for Municipal Enforcement, stated that the change was necessary to provide officers with the legal authority to intervene. According to a previous council report, complaints originated from Bayside, Bayview, Canals, and Midtown.
“This amendment gives Municipal Enforcement the authority to act when individuals are found engaging in this risky behaviour,” Tomlinson wrote in a June 25 email.
He also confirmed that the warning signs previously installed were not enforceable under any existing bylaw. Tomlinson added that the bylaw applies to all street-related structures located above or beside bodies of water, not just canal bridges.
“The canals, though visually appealing, are stormwater management facilities and not designed for recreational use,” he said. “Hazards such as unpredictable water depths, debris and strong currents make them unsafe for swimming or jumping.”
Residents are encouraged to report unsafe activity near any bridge or canal to Municipal Enforcement.
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