Cycling and Walking

Cycling safety resources 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 - English

Bike Tips - French

Bike Tips - Arabic

Bike Tips - Farsi

Bike Tips - Mandarin

Bike Tips - Somali

Bike Tips - Spanish

Bike Tips - Tigrinya

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

Improve your family's cycling skills with Cycling into the Future and CAN-Bike

Cycling into the Future

Cycling into the Future is a local non-profit that offers in-class and on-road cycling education to schools in Waterloo Region.

The program is geared towards Grades 5 and 6 students and strives to include all children in the training by providing additional bikes, helmets, and learn-to-ride training when needed.

Visit www.cyclingintothefuture.com to learn how your school can get involved in this one-of-a-kind program.

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

BikeWR

BikeWR is your "one-stop shop for all things cycling"! BikeWR helps you easily navigate through all of the bicycle-related events and resources in the Waterloo Region.

Have an exciting story or picture of your ride? Share it on social media with #BikeWR. 

Bikes, e-bikes, and other personal vehicles 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
• E-scooters, roller blades, hoverboards, and other personal vehicles must be folded and/or carried to bring on board. 

 To learn more, visit www.grt.ca/bikes 

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

How to get started 

• Choose to walk to work or school or take Grand River Transit as each trip begins and ends with a walk.
• Join a walking group in your neighbourhood or start a walking group of your own. 

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. 

How walkable is your neighbourhood? Check out the Walkability in the Region of Waterloo - Interactive map interactive map of neighbourhoods in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. 

An interactive map is also available for tablets and smartphones:  

• Walkability in the Region of Waterloo - Interactive map for tablets
• Walkability in the Region of Waterloo - Interactive map for smartphones

Problems with sidewalks or lighting

If you have concerns about the condition of sidewalks or lighting in your neighbourhood, make a note of the address or nearest intersection, what the problem is and then contact your local municipality or the Region of Waterloo at 519-575-4400.

Winter walking

Walking is a year-round activity. Dress in layers with a wind and water resistant outer layer. Wear mitts, hats, neck warmers and warm sturdy footwear designed for snow and ice to keep safe and sound.

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.

Pedometer lending programs for individual use or workplace walking challenges:

• Kitchener Public Library (individual use)  
• Cambridge Idea Exchange Public Library (individual use)
• Region of Waterloo Public Library (individual use)
• Region of Waterloo Public Health Resource Library (workplace)    

Additional Information 

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