Cycling in Waterloo Region

[danbrotherston]

Fear mongering. I read the attached documents and searched the web. I found nothing stating that this approved funding is under threat. Please share if you have found otherwise.

Why don’t you ask the CycleWR org. They’re local and not exactly a fringe group. I’m not going to do any research for you, I posted the link from them, that’s all.

[tomh009]

Fear mongering. I read the attached documents and searched the web. I found nothing stating that this approved funding is under threat. Please share if you have found otherwise.

Why don’t you ask the CycleWR org. They’re local and not exactly a fringe group. I’m not going to do any research for you, I posted the link from them, that’s all.

As far as I can tell there is no indication of the fund being cancelled. It is, however, waiting for ministerial approval. So, I suppose it is at risk until approved (although we have seen enough cases of government funding being pulled after approval, so not sure the approval guarantees anything either).

[danbrotherston]

So there is a proposed Route 2 cycling plan.

It's amazing how bad things have gotten in Ontario. Seems the Frederick and Benton cycle lanes will not be happening (are deferred a decade in the future). Of course if they'd bothered to do it when I presented it to council, this wouldn't be the case.

So as a result the "Route 2" cycling proposal is signage of existing routes + several dangerous on road segments that I wouldn't cycle on anymore, let alone with a child.

So utterly disappointing that any progress that was being made has been completely halted by the province.

And yeah, accuse me of fear mongering all you want, the fact is, this report is terrible. And I feel for the folks involved, I know (some of) them care and it must suck to not be able to do your job because of this bullshit.

[the_conestoga_guy]

So there is a proposed Route 2 cycling plan.

It's amazing how bad things have gotten in Ontario. Seems the Frederick and Benton cycle lanes will not be happening (are deferred a decade in the future). Of course if they'd bothered to do it when I presented it to council, this wouldn't be the case.

So as a result the "Route 2" cycling proposal is signage of existing routes + several dangerous on road segments that I wouldn't cycle on anymore, let alone with a child.

So utterly disappointing that any progress that was being made has been completely halted by the province.

And yeah, accuse me of fear mongering all you want, the fact is, this report is terrible. And I feel for the folks involved, I know (some of) them care and it must suck to not be able to do your job because of this bullshit.

City staff noted this in their report for the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee:

Community feedback identified several safety challenges along the route that pass along or
through roads and intersections under the jurisdiction of the Region of Waterloo, namely
Ottawa Street and Frederick Street. City staff and Regional staff met several times to discuss
routing and infrastructure options. There are no feasible alternative routes that avoid these
Regional Roads. Wayfinding signs will encourage users to use caution on sections that do
not qualify as “all ages and abilities” infrastructure.

My two cents is that city staff have acted quite rigidly when presented with these safety issues. I don't know if they're lazy or if they don't care, but it doesn't appear that they've shown any initiative or creativity for solving these challenges. I'm actually surprised that they'd admit this so transparently in this memo.

The most egregious example in this case is the crossing at Ottawa. Many people noted that the cheapest and easiest way to have a 'AAA' crossing would be to just use the existing streetlights at Ottawa and the Highway. But staff noted that they couldn't do any changes along Ottawa because it would require coordination with the Region as it's their road. Like, ya, we know, we're paying you to do this kind of coordination work! 

Considering these numbered cycleways are supposed to be the City's flagship cycling corridors, I have serious concerns that they'll be able to create anything meaningful or usable.

[danbrotherston]

So there is a proposed Route 2 cycling plan.

It's amazing how bad things have gotten in Ontario. Seems the Frederick and Benton cycle lanes will not be happening (are deferred a decade in the future). Of course if they'd bothered to do it when I presented it to council, this wouldn't be the case.

So as a result the "Route 2" cycling proposal is signage of existing routes + several dangerous on road segments that I wouldn't cycle on anymore, let alone with a child.

So utterly disappointing that any progress that was being made has been completely halted by the province.

And yeah, accuse me of fear mongering all you want, the fact is, this report is terrible. And I feel for the folks involved, I know (some of) them care and it must suck to not be able to do your job because of this bullshit.

City staff noted this in their report for the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee:

Community feedback identified several safety challenges along the route that pass along or
through roads and intersections under the jurisdiction of the Region of Waterloo, namely
Ottawa Street and Frederick Street. City staff and Regional staff met several times to discuss
routing and infrastructure options. There are no feasible alternative routes that avoid these
Regional Roads. Wayfinding signs will encourage users to use caution on sections that do
not qualify as “all ages and abilities” infrastructure.

My two cents is that city staff have acted quite rigidly when presented with these safety issues. I don't know if they're lazy or if they don't care, but it doesn't appear that they've shown any initiative or creativity for solving these challenges. I'm actually surprised that they'd admit this so transparently in this memo.

The most egregious example in this case is the crossing at Ottawa. Many people noted that the cheapest and easiest way to have a 'AAA' crossing would be to just use the existing streetlights at Ottawa and the Highway. But staff noted that they couldn't do any changes along Ottawa because it would require coordination with the Region as it's their road. Like, ya, we know, we're paying you to do this kind of coordination work! 

Considering these numbered cycleways are supposed to be the City's flagship cycling corridors, I have serious concerns that they'll be able to create anything meaningful or usable.

I don't know which staff you spoke with. I suspect some of them feel quite powerless. I'm sure others do not care.

The region is often a strong obstacle, but correctly stating that is not something staff feel they can do (they should, but I understand why they don't, it's one of the reasons I didn't fit well with my bank job, I was too honest about shit).

That said, I don't think "creative" solutions are really solutions. Yes, going to the lights is a "creative" solution, but I think it's still a bad one, it takes 'route' users out of their way, crossing at the lights is still not exactly safe, especially at a highway interchange with right on red and a 10 meter wide right turn lane.

I'd have more respect for staff (or advocates) that are willing to stand up and say "no, this is bad, we should not do it, and if you're unwilling to make the politically difficult decisions to do better, than we should do nothing, because this is worse than nothing", because this is also a correct statement that we should  be willing to stand behind. But unfortunately in general staff that would do this are replaced by staff that "follow orders".

[KevinL]

Definitely one of the downsides of our regional municipal system - in theory city and region staff should be able to collaborate and find workable joint solutions, but in reality they've been siloed and incentivized to avoid such options. Very frustrating.

[Acitta]

Kitchener receives “gold” designation as a bicycle friendly community

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May 05, 2026
Kitchener, ON – The City of Kitchener has been awarded gold status by the Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) Program, administered by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition. This designation recognizes Kitchener’s significant progress in advancing safe, connected and equitable cycling infrastructure.

The Gold designation places Kitchener among the leading municipalities in Ontario for cycling excellence and reflects the City’s sustained investment in high‑quality facilities, education initiatives and long‑term planning. This recognition is the direct result of years of investment into a range of infrastructure improvements outlined in the award-winning Cycling and Trails Master Plan, which prioritizes a comprehensive, all‑ages‑and‑abilities network.

“We have a plan that will give people options to walk, run, cycle and roll across our community,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “This award recognizes the progress we have made to date, and I’m excited to be taking further steps forward this year with the opening of our first major active transportation spine, Route 1, this summer and the start of construction for Route 2 this fall.”

Recent accomplishments include:

A city-wide priority wayfinding network, with branded trail routes that connect major destinations, such as the recently completed Route 1: The Boardwalk to Downtown.
Completion of the Downtown Cycling Grid, a 10‑kilometre network of new and upgraded cycling routes that has already contributed to substantial increases in ridership.
Enhancements to multi‑use trails, including trails in the Country Hills Park, Lions Park, Lynnvalley Park, and Wilson Park, as well as Henry Sturm, Traynor and Shoemaker Greenway trails.
Delivery of a spot fix program, making targeted safety improvements to trail crossings, missing curb cuts and challenging intersections
Development of neighbourhood bikeways, providing low‑stress routes supported by wayfinding and traffic‑calming measures.
“This recognition underscores the City of Kitchener’s dedication to building a safe, accessible, and connected trail network for residents, visitors, and commuters,” said Active Transportation and trails Advisory Committee Chair and Ward 6 Councillor Paul Singh. “We are honoured to receive this designation and remain committed to further enhancing active transportation options throughout our community.”

These current and future investments are how the City of Kitchener is achieving its goal of building a connected city together, as outlined in its 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.

-30-

For more information:

Corporate Communications and Marketing
City of Kitchener
Media@kitchener.ca



About the Bicycle Friendly Communities Program

The Bicycle Friendly Communities Program, established in Canada by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, provides a standardized framework for evaluating and improving cycling conditions in municipalities. Communities are assessed across five key areas: engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation. Awards range from Bronze to Platinum, with Gold representing the highest level awarded in Ontario to date, with demonstrated leadership in cycling advancement.

Kitchener’s Gold designation reflects the City’s strong performance across all evaluation categories and its commitment to continuous improvement.

Quote:

“We are delighted to present this Gold Bicycle Friendly Community award to the City of Kitchener in recognition of its ongoing commitment to investing in infrastructure and initiatives that offer citizens safe places to ride,” said Eleanor McMahon, Founder and Board Chair Share the Road Cycling Coalition. “Kitchener joins a growing number of Ontario communities that are investing in opportunities for citizens to benefit from livable and safe streets and neighborhoods. More than 10 million Ontarians – or two thirds of our population – live in a designated Bicycle Friendly Community, which reflects the tremendous work under way in municipalities across the province. We congratulate the mayor and Council, City staff and the citizens in Kitchener – they all share in this important milestone.”

[danbrotherston]

Well that's great news. It's grading on a curve to be sure, but it is still earned. Leaving aside the cancellation of the downtown grid, and the cancellation of improvements to Benton and Frederick street, the city has made steady incremental progress. There hasn't been massive regressions like other Ontario cities.

Hopefully they can find a less offensive place to put their sign than Waterloo did.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4588375,...FQAw%3D%3D

I still cannot believe they CHOSE to put the sign on the non-bike-lane designed to kill cyclists. And yes, the designers of that lane thought they're doing a good thing...but it just shows the utter abject failure they are. There's lots of city streets in Kitchener that they could use instead.

[ZEBuilder]

Well that's great news. It's grading on a curve to be sure, but it is still earned. Leaving aside the cancellation of the downtown grid, and the cancellation of improvements to Benton and Frederick street, the city has made steady incremental progress. There hasn't been massive regressions like other Ontario cities.

Benton and Frederick can't really be blamed on the city for two reasons, the first being it's a Regional Road to begin with, the second being the province made life impossible on that one. It was entirely intended to go forward but then the province stopped that.

The downtown grid also wasn't cancelled, it's completed, there isn't anything left to construct for it, yes there's sections missing (mainly Duke) but again that's thanks to the Region not the city. The Region will be installing cycle track along Victoria from King to Weber as part of the KCTH so the downtown grid is still being expanded to some degree.

[danbrotherston]

Well that's great news. It's grading on a curve to be sure, but it is still earned. Leaving aside the cancellation of the downtown grid, and the cancellation of improvements to Benton and Frederick street, the city has made steady incremental progress. There hasn't been massive regressions like other Ontario cities.

Benton and Frederick can't really be blamed on the city for two reasons, the first being it's a Regional Road to begin with, the second being the province made life impossible on that one. It was entirely intended to go forward but then the province stopped that.

The downtown grid also wasn't cancelled, it's completed, there isn't anything left to construct for it, yes there's sections missing (mainly Duke) but again that's thanks to the Region not the city. The Region will be installing cycle track along Victoria from King to Weber as part of the KCTH so the downtown grid is still being expanded to some degree.

I am entirely aware of the situation for Benton and Frederick given that I was the one who lobbied to make it happen. And yes, I place most of the blame on our shit provincial government, but I also do blame the region some. If they had acted on it in a timely fashion and just re-striped the damn road four years ago instead of letting staff delay and defer for 5 years then it would have been done before Fords edict. 

And no, the downtown grid isn’t “completed” you literally say in the next sentence that “There’s sections missing”. And it’s not just Duke (which is the fault of the region) it’s also Ontario that got cancelled. Further the city could have told the region that if they refuse to make duke work then they’d put it on Weber but they simply gave up instead. 

That said the reason I say “cancelled” is because with all the major pieces that got removed it is no longer a grid in any meaningful sense. That was the whole argument for it and the whole framing and they did not build a connected grid. They built a lot of great bike infrastructure but the “grid” concept is cancelled.