Cycling

The city maintains over 230 km of trails, bike lanes and signed bike routes. We work with the Region of Waterloo toward a fully connected, accessible transportation network that is safe for cyclists. Watch a video showing some of our favourite bike routes.

Waterloo is proud to be the first mid-sized city in Ontario recognized as a Gold Bicycle Friendly Community by the Share the Road Cycling Coalition in 2018. Our Transportation Master Plan and active transportation committee help us to work toward a sustainable transportation system.

On this page

1. Maps
2. Bicycle courses
3. Bicycling parking
4. Bicycle safety
5. Bike share and e-scooters

Maps

You can view our active transportation network using our in-house city map or Google Maps. We also provide printed cycling maps at our facilities and various bike shops. The map is available for download (PDF).

Bicycle courses

CAN-BIKE is Cycling Canada's national program that covers bicycle safety and recreation. Covering four skill levels, CAN-BIKE offers riders the confidence to bike on and off-road and in urban areas as their main mode of transportation. Register for CAN-BIKE courses on Active Waterloo. Courses are available for those 9 years old and older, for teens and adults.

Bicycle parking

There are more than 225 bike parking spaces in uptown Waterloo, including covered parking in the Uptown Parkade, bike racks and secure bike spaces for rent.

Bicycle lockers are available for rent. Find them at the front of the Uptown Parkade. They cost $11/month (plus HST). There is a 4-month minimum rental term and a $30 security deposit. For further details, contact parking@waterloo.ca or call 519-886-2310.

Find where you can park your bike uptown on this map. All city community centres have bicycle parking too. Our park directory page also lists if a park has bike parking.

During events like the Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival or the Busker Carnival, you can leave your car and enjoy bicycle valet parking. City staff will monitor the valet area and you can leave your bike worry free.

Bicycle safety

Waterloo has a vision to be a fully-connected, accessible transportation network that is safe for cyclists. We have produced a series educational videos to help you ride as safely as possible.

Watch: Be seen, heard and protected (2:57), Roadway navigation (5:45) and Multi-use trails (3:35)

General tips:

• before riding your bike ensure the chain, tires, and brakes are in good condition
• always ride with the traffic, either in bike lanes or close to the right side of the road
• obey traffic signals and rules, including stopping at stop signs and using proper hand signals
• make sure the roadway is clear before you enter it
• watch for opening car doors
• have a bell or horn on your bike, its the law
• keep your lights and reflectors in good condition
• wear your bike helmet
• be predictable for other vehicles on the road and communicate your actions using hand signals
• only bicycles with tires less than a 50cm diameter may cycle on sidewalks
• walk all bicycles through a cross walk

Bicycle crossrides

Bicycle crossrides are like crosswalks for cyclists, letting you stay on your bike while waiting for the bicycle signal to change green.

Watch a video to learn how to use bicycle crossrides safely.

Sensors under the pavement help you cross without pressing a button. Cyclists or a person with a disability can stop before the white line, and the sensor will signal the light to change.

Bicycle crossrides are shared with pedestrian crosswalks. The cyclist part is marked with thick paint on either side of the pedestrian area.

Pedestrians can press the button to cross and walk within the marked lines.

Bike box

A bike box is designated space for cyclists to wait in front of a vehicle at red light. Cyclists can then advance before a vehicle when the light turns green. 

There are a number of locations where bike boxes are being incorporated at intersections with in Waterloo.

Locations include:

• Davenport Road and Lexington Road 
• Lexington Road and Bridge Street
• Lexington Road and University Avenue 
• Caroline Street North and Erb Street North
• Columbia Street West and Erbsville Road

Green lights at bike boxes

Cyclists approach the intersection as usual. Use the bike lane to travel straight ahead or turn right. Watch for right-turning signals from vehicles. When turning left, signal and merge into the left turn lane before the intersection, proceed through the intersection and into the bike lane.

Drivers move through the intersection as usual, sharing the road with cyclists. When turning right, check to see that the bike lane is clear. When turning right at a red light, stop behind the marked bike box. Check to see there isn't a cyclist coming before turning.

Amber or red lights at bikes boxes

Cyclists enter the bike box from the bike lane, watching for right-turn vehicles. To make a left turn, signal and move to the left of the bike box. When the light turns green, proceed through the intersection and into the bike lane. When turning right, stop in the marked bike box, watch for right-turning motorists, signal and proceed into the bike lane. 

Drivers stop at the line behind the bike box. Cyclists will pull into the bike box in front of you where it's easy for you to see them. When the light turns green, proceed through the intersection as usual with the cyclist 

Cycling around ION

The ION light rail transit tracks are now in place across Waterloo. It is important when crossing the tracks to:

• look both ways when crossing the tracks and only cross at designated crossing
• always cross the tracks at a right angle
• some intersections have been modified and no longer allow left turns, please follow these rules
• never ride along the light rail tracks

For more information watch this video from the Region of Waterloo.

Bicycle pumps

There are bicycle pumps located at public facilities across Waterloo if you find your tire needs air. You will find them at the following facilities:

• Waterloo City Centre - air pump
• Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex - air pump currently unavailable due to construction
• Uptown Parkade - air pump and fix it station with tools
• Bicycle Shelter on Caroline St near the Willis Way ION Station - air pump and fix it station with tools
• Albert McCormick Community Centre - air pump

Bike share and e-scooters

Starting again in April 2024, Neuron Mobility e-bikes and e-scooters will be available to rent in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. E-bikes and e-scooters will be available in downtown areas and near transit stations.

To ride an e-scooter, you must:

• be 16 years of age or older
• wear a helmet

You can ride e-scooters 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 to Lexington Road and Caroline Street South
• select paved recreation multi-use trails like the Iron Horse Trail, Spur Line Trail and Market Trail

Neuron operates the program through an app. Download the app and learn about using e-bikes and e-scooters on their ScootSafe Academy website. Choose Waterloo Region to get local information.