Cycling and Walking

Cycling

Visit Explore Waterloo Region for bike rides and trip planning apps that will help you discover charming destinations, bicycle-friendly businesses, and learn more about Waterloo Region. 

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

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

Region of Waterloo Bike Map

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.

Printed maps are available at many local Bike-Friendly Businesses in partnership with Explore Waterloo Region. A limited supply of maps can be found at Regional buildings open to the public. We encourage you to support local by shopping at a nearby business and picking up a bike map while you're there!

Download digital maps using the links below.

Share your thoughts on the 2021 Bike Map

We want to know what you like about the 2021 Region of Waterloo Bike Map and any recommendations you have for future editions. Please complete our online feedback form.

Want your business listed on the next Bike Map?

The Region's Bike Map highlights Ontario by Bike's local network of bike-friendly businesses and bike shops. Visit Ontario by Bike for more information on how your business can be added to the network.
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 - 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

Protected bike lane pilot 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

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. 

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
Walkability 

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:  

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.
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.

 
Pedometer lending programs 

Pedometer lending programs for individual use or workplace walking challenges:

Additional Information 

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.

 Image describing e-scooter permissions

E-bike and e-scooter rental program

Neuron e-bike and e-scooter

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 Neuron Mobility 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 2023.

For costs, availability and booking, please visit Neuron Mobility's website or download the Neuron Mobility app.

Feedback on the rental e-bike and e-scooter program will be collected through the Engage Waterloo Region page.

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

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

Please note, e-bike motors will 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 Neuron app), but will 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 Neuron’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 Neuron 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.
  • Riders must wear a helmet while riding shared e-scooters. E-bike riders under 18 must wear a helmet, and helmets are recommended for all other e-bike riders.
  • Shared e-bikes and e-scooters can be used between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m.
  • 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

Visit Neuron's ScootSafe website and select "Waterloo Region" from the dropdown for more safety tips and videos.

Reporting a misparked e-scooter or e-bike

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

Reporting sidewalk riding

You can report shared e-bikes or e-scooters being ridden on the sidewalk by:

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