Cycling in the city masthead
June 2019
June is bike month!
Cyclist on Willis Way
June is bike month and cities across Canada are celebrating with events to encourage more cycling in communities. In Waterloo, we have a number of events and activities planned.

Cycle to School Day - on Wednesday, June 5 , we're asking high school and middle school students in Waterloo to ride their bikes to school. Bicycles will be tagged at the schools on June 5. Students fill in the tag and bring it to their main office by the first period of the following day to have their name entered to win one of two gift cards from a local cycling shop in uptown Waterloo.

Bike Valet will be at the Service Centre Open House - For the first time the Waterloo Service Centre will be offering a Bike Valet service for attendees who cycle to the Service Centre Open House ! Unsure of how to get there? Waterloo Service Centre is easy to get to from the Forwell Trail and the Walter Bean/Grand River Trail connector (see map below). Enjoy the convenience of parking your bike in a secure location. See you on June 8 , between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Campfire in Waterloo Public Square - Pack a blanket or your favourite hoodie and cycle to uptown Waterloo. Gather around the campfire with friends and neighbours for music, food, and more. If you ride your bike, please make sure you have bike lights (white lights on the front and red on the back). City staff will have an active transportation booth on site to help answer any cycling questions you may have. The event takes place on June 19 from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Open Streets - Open Streets celebrates the liveable cities movement, and has taken many forms since its inception. The theme for June is street culture and there will be a number of activities to create a great street party vibe. There will be music, graffiti muralists, BBQ, some skateboarding demos, a vendor area and more! In addition, a portion of the street will be covered in sod so participants can picnic during the BBQ.  Visit our  Open Streets page  for more details. The fun takes place on June 22 from noon to 5 p.m. in the uptown area (Willis Way) and Waterloo Public Square.
map showing the trails to the service centre open house
Look for Dropbike throughout the community!
Dignitaries launch Dropbike in Waterloo Region.
Just in time for bike month, on Friday May 13, Drop Mobility launched a bike-share program across the Region of Waterloo in partnership with the Region of Waterloo and area municipalities: Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo. The smart bikes are available for residents and tourists to use across the region. The program will start with a few hundred bikes in certain locations.
Can-Bike courses
Can Bike logo
We're excited to offer Can-Bike Level 5 Instructor Training - This course is for individuals who wish to become certified CAN-BIKE instructors and Level 1/2 instructors, who are passionate about cycling education and desire to provide CAN-BIKE instruction to others in their region. This course will be delivered in the classroom and on the bicycle. Prerequisite: completed all the requirements from Level 4 and be recommended by the instructor to take instructor training.
Cycling into the future
Cycling into the Future - is a comprehensive training program designed to teach kids how to safely and confidently operate and own a bike. The program’s promise of inclusion ensures that all students can participate in the program regardless of experiential, financial or other barriers.
 Tell us what you think!
The City of Waterloo is beginning a study to review and update the c o mmunity's transportation master plan. The study will provide an up-to-date strategy for moving people and goods around the city now and into the future. With Waterloo changing and growing, the transportation system needs to adapt to who we are today and where we want to be in 25 years.
The specific objects of the study will be to:
  • develop a guiding transportation policy document;
  • provide more travel options;
  • describe how to develop a community that is less reliant on cars for travel; and
  • describe how the city can leverage recent investments on light rail transit (ION) and active transportation to encourage citizens to walk, cycle, and use transit more.
Engaging the community is a major component of this study. Visit engagewr.ca/waterloo and have your say!
Stay tuned for the next edition of Cycling in the City.
Coming your way summer 2019.
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Cycling in the City is published four times a year to keep residents informed about new active transportation projects and initiatives, new cycling infrastructure, safety and education programs and more. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail [email protected] . If you’re reading Cycling in the City as a non-subscriber, visit our subscription page to register for future editions.

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