Description
To prepare for a time when most trips are made by walking, cycling, or rolling, neighbourhoods across the region must have comfortable, safe access to the transportation system using these modes of travel. New neighbourhoods can be designed with this access from the start, and existing neighbourhoods need to be retrofitted to ensure good access to the network.
This action will be led by the Area Municipalities, in collaboration with the Region of Waterloo. Please see below for the most recent publicly available updates.
THE REGION OF WATERLOO
The Region of Waterloo is actively engaged in the planning and development of enhanced connections to its active transportation network that strengthen regional mobility helping to create safe and convenient active transportation connections.
Examples of new and upgraded active transportation connections include:
- Completed connections at Westchester Drive, Trinity Village, and Market Trail Phase 2.
- New connections underway from Rauch Court to the network at Highland Rd. W. and Ira Needles Blvd.
- Current improvements underway to the crossing at Caroline St. and Erb St. W.
The Region also has a dedicated annual capital program for infill sidewalk and cycling facilities which will continue in 2026. As part of this program, in 2025 the Region installed eight cross-rides, connecting neighbourhoods to one another and to transit.
The Region produced a Bike Map in 2021 as a summary of all bike infrastructure in the cities and townships within 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.
Finally, the Region is a member of TravelWise, which actively works with its members to ensure awareness of existing neighbourhood connections to the active transportation networks near places of work. TravelWise also collaborates with the area municipalities to provide the Region with the most up-to-date map of the broader active transportation network.
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
The City of Cambridge is implementing Action 1.1.2 through Plans of Subdivision, Cycling Master Plan implementation, and through major development applications and projects (e.g. pedestrian bridge connecting Lens Mill redevelopment site in Hespeler with Mill Run Trail). New trail networks are being planned in both industrial / commercial and residential subdivisions. An example project is the 2026 Hespeler Transportation Assessment to address and support growth and development in the Hespeler area.
CITY OF KITCHENER
The City has completed the installation of over 30 km of on-road All Ages and Abilities cycling facilities since approval of the Cycling and Trails Master Plan in 2020 and completed 7km of upgraded and realigned off road trails since 2020 (This doesn’t include BMUTs). High profile projects include: 75% completion the construction of a Downtown Cycling Grid, full closure of Delta Street and conversion to a multi-use trail, closure of Gaukel Street and conversion to a pedestrian and public space, and completion of new and upgraded multi-use trails such as Henry Sturm Trail, Wilson Park, Shoemaker Creek and the Traynor Trail.
The City of Kitchener is implementing a city-wide network of branded active transportation routes that will connect eight major neighbourhoods—each with regional significance and transit access—through approximately 100 km of safe, accessible and signed infrastructure. The first route, The Boardwalk–Downtown (Route 1, PINK), is complete, with the second route, Stanley Park–Downtown (Route 2, GREEN), planned for 2026. The project gives each route a brand with a name, colour, and number—similar to a transit system. This approach improves recognition, legibility, navigation, and awareness of active transportation options.
CITY OF WATERLOO
The City of Waterloo addresses action 1.1.2 through items included in The City of Waterloo's Official Plan. The plan places a high priority on encouraging active transportation. The roads under the City’s jurisdiction will be planned to service a network of complete streets, facilitating the movement of, and interaction between, all travel modes-pedestrian, bicycles, transit, and motorized vehicles- within and throughout the City. In addition, in 2022 the City opened the Larch Street woonerf designed to emphasize walking and cycling over car use.
TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH
The Township of Woolwich addresses planning best practices in the 2023 Active Transportation Master Plan.
TOWNSHIP OF WELLESLEY
- There are a few disruptions in the (Goderich to Guelph) G2G trail, with one of those locations in Wallenstein. The Township of Wellesley is currently working with the Region to reconstruct the Kissing Trail Bridge to complete the trail in Wellesley Township.
- Erbhaven Trail is currently stone dust and is set to be paved in 2024. It will be extended in 2024 when the new recreation complex is open
- Inside bush is wood clips with one stone dust accessible loop
- Remaining trail outside bush will be paved by the end of 2024
- Installed and/or replaced 9,151m of sidewalks to since 2011 to comply with AODA standards