On Tuesday evening, April 17, The City of Waterloo was awarded the gold level Bicycle-Friendly Community designation from the
Share the Road Cycling Coalition at their annual Ontario Bike Summit in Toronto. The Share the Road Coalition is a provincial cycling advocacy organization, with a collective goal of becoming the most bicycle-friendly place to ride a bike in North America.
Waterloo is the first mid-sized city in Ontario to achieve this gold designation, joining the larger cities of Toronto and Ottawa. There are a total of 42 communities in Ontario that are now recognized as bike-friendly (31 bronze level, eight silver level and three gold), representing 70% of Ontario’s population.
Waterloo was recognized for its commitment to designing complete streets and connecting people throughout the community. Some of the initiatives cited include:
- the strong and growing network of active transportation infrastructure such as the uptown King Street raised bicycle lanes that will be completed this summer;
- Waterloo’s expansive trail system including upgraded trail crossings making it safer for cyclist to cross busy roads;
- the integrated high priority active transportation network with a focus on connecting key routes as well as connecting the new ION LRT system to the trail system; and
- a commitment to cycling education, including the partnership with the Region of Waterloo and other cities with the Cycling Into the Future Program, a program that aims to nurture a love of cycling for students in grade five, numerous bike groups, community rides and events such as Bike to Work Day.