Cycling

Bikes and e-bikes on transit

Grand River Transit has updated its policies to make it easier to combine your journey with public transit.

Every GRT bus has a bike rack and you can also bring your bike on GRT's ION trains!
Pedal-assist e-bikes are also allowed on ION trains, but are too heavy for GRT bus bike racks

The 2021 Bike Map is a summary of all bike infrastructure in the cities and townships of Waterloo Region. The map highlights public art, scenic historic bridges, the Hydrocut trails (a premier mountain bike destination), and Ontario by Bike’s Bike-Friendly Businesses in partnership with Explore Waterloo Region.

Printed maps are out of stock.

Download digital maps using the links below, or visit Explore Waterloo Region for up to date app-based route recommendations.

2021 Bike Map: Rural Area (3 MB)
2021 Bike Map: Urban Area (17 MB)

Learning to cycle safely

CAN-BIKE

The Canadian Cycling Association's CAN-BIKE program has a series of courses for all ages and abilities. Courses range from introductory learn-to-ride lessons to training on how to lead group rides or become an instructor.

Need a quick refresher before your next family ride? CAN-Bike also offers a free online course: www.canbikecanada.ca/online-education

Cycling safety tips in multiple languages

When you cycle, remember to:

be visible - use lights, reflectors, and wear reflective material
be predictable - use hand signals so drivers know what you're doing and follow road signs and signals
give yourself space - try to stay at least 1 metre away from the curb and park cars so you have room to move away from hazards

Bike Tips and Rules of the Road

This brochure is a great quick reference for new and experienced cyclists riding in Waterloo Region.

Bike Tips - Ukrainian

For more safety tips on sharing the road and preventing collisions check the following:

MTO - Safe Cycling Handbooks for Kids and Adults

CAA - Bike Safety

Protected bike lane pilot projects

Find out more about the Region's 5 km Separated Cycling Network in Uptown Waterloo
Find out more about the City of Kitchener's current and upcoming Separated Cycling Network projects

Walking and hiking

More people walking means more friendly and vibrant neighbourhoods!

Health benefits of walking

Walking is a great way to break up long periods of sitting or other sedentary behaviours, even if you only take a few steps. Our bodies are designed for walking, yet only 30 per cent of Canadian adults walk for exercise four or more times a week.

Incorporate walking into your daily routine to receive these benefits:

Improved flexibility, coordination, balance and reduced risk of falling
Improved circulation and cholesterol levels
Reduced blood pressure
Decreased risk of colon cancer, heart disease, and stroke
Increased muscle strength, bone density, and joint lubrication
Decreased stress and tension and improved memory and alertness
Improved air quality - more people walking means better air quality for everyone
Save money - walking is free and don't have to pay for parking

Trails and Hiking

Waterloo Region offers a number of parks and trails that are accessible to all ages, incomes, and abilities.

Visit the Region's Forests and Trails and Grand River Trails pages for information about Regional Forests and other woodlands open to the public, including site-specific trail maps.

Grand River Conservation Area trails

City of Cambridge trails

City of Kitchener trails

City of Waterloo trails

Township of North Dumfries trails

Township of Wilmot trails

Township of Woolwich trails

Pedestrian safety

It is the law in Ontario that drivers and cyclists must stop and wait for pedestrians and school crossing guards to cross the entire road at:

Pedestrian crossovers
School crossings
Any locations when a crossing guard is present

Safety tips for walking:

See and be seen
Only cross at crosswalks or intersections
Pay attention and stay alert
Use the sidewalk
Supervise children when near traffic

For more information about pedestrian safety, visit What You Need to Know about New Pedestrian Crossovers brochure or read the Waterloo Region Pedestrian Charter.

Additional Information

Active Transportation
Active Transportation at Work
Active and Safe Routes to School

E-scooters

E-scooters are permitted within the Region of Waterloo on:

All roads 50 km/hr or less
All roads with bike lanes, regardless of speed limit
All boulevard multi-use paths like the paved trails next Homer Watson Blvd.
Select paved recreation multi-use trails like the Iron Horse Trail, Spur Line Trail, Market Trail, etc.

E-scooters and transit

E-scooters, roller blades, hoverboards, and other personal vehicles must be folded and/or carried to bring on board Grand River Transit buses and trains.

Learn more about e-scooters and other personal vehicles on transit

Rules for riding an e-scooter

To ride an e-scooter, you must:

be 16 years of age or older
wear a helmet

When riding an e-scooter, please follow these rules:

you cannot take a passenger (only one person is allowed on each e-scooter)
do not ride on the sidewalk (if you need to use a sidewalk to get to a location or parking, you must walk your e-scooter)
ride on the right side of the road, keeping as close to the edge of the road as possible
if you're on a mixed-use trail, don't ride much faster than the pedestrians on the trail
yield to pedestrians as necessary, and keep a safe distance between you
do not park your e-scooter or leave it in a way that blocks a road or sidewalk

The speed limit for e-scooters in Ontario is 24 km/h. This applies on roads, in bike lanes and on trails.

Visit the Ministry of Transportation e-scooter rules or the Region's By-laws page for more information.

E-bike and e-scooter rental program

The Region of Waterloo, in partnership with the City of Cambridge, the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo, entered into an agreement with Lime Canada to provide e-scooters and e-bikes available for rent. Up to 500 e-bikes and 500 e-scooters will be available for rent until the end of October.

For costs, availability and booking, visit Lime Canada’s website or download the Lime app in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Lime also offers an adaptive vehicle. More details can be found at the Lime Assist website.

Region and City staff will be monitoring how the program is being received by the community and will share updates with their respective Councils.

You can send questions about the program to sharedmicromobility@regionofwaterloo.ca.

Where can you ride rental e-bikes and e-scooters?

Check the Lime app for the designated riding areas. Do not ride e-bikes or e-scooters on sidewalks.

Please note, e-bike motors may turn off when riding on multi-use trails and paths to conform with local bylaws. You can ride the shared e-bikes on multi-use trails (unless otherwise indicated in the Lime app) but may need to pedal without the e-assist.

Where can you park a shared e-scooter or e-bike?

E-bikes and e-scooters must be parked upright in one of Lime’s parking areas, identified through the mobile app.

Rental e-bikes, e-scooters and transit

Rental e-bikes and e-scooters are not permitted on board GRT buses, in the bike racks on GRT buses or on ION light rail trains.

Park your Lime vehicle before getting on transit, then grab another vehicle when you get off.

Learn more about bicycles, scooters and transit.

Safety and etiquette

Riders must be 16 years or older. Riders under 18 must have guardian consent.

E-scooter and e-bike riders must wear a helmet. All Lime vehicles are equipped with adjustable helmets that are unlocked through the Lime app. You can also use your own helmet.

Only one rider per scooter at a time.

The maximum speed of e-bikes and e-scooters will be limited in designated ‘slow zones’.

E-bikes and e-scooters will not operate in designated no ride zones.

Park shared vehicles upright in designated parking areas.

Be considerate of pedestrians.

Reporting a misparked e-scooter or e-bike

You can report a misparked e-scooter or e-bike by:

Scanning the QR code on the vehicle and reporting through the Lime app

Filling out the parking form

Calling 1-888-LIME-345 / 1-888-546-3345

Emailing help-waterloo@li.me

Reporting sidewalk riding