Bike Your City: Cycling Master Plan sets out collective vision for cycling in Cambridge

Cambridge City Council has endorsed Bike Your City: Cycling Master Plan to guide the City’s investments in cycling over the next 20 years and beyond. The Plan outlines a series of strategies and actions to help increase bicycle use and create a culture of cycling in Cambridge, by developing an integrated network of off-street trails and on-street bicycle facilities, along with support programs and policies to encourage cycling between Galt, Hespeler, Preston and Blair and connection with other communities in the Region of Waterloo.

“On behalf of City Council, I’m delighted to move forward a cycling plan that is progressive, focuses on environmental sustainability, provides more tourism opportunities for Cambridge and truly reflects the needs and desires of the community,” said Mayor Kathryn McGarry. “Through extensive consultation, the community played a crucial role in creating a new cycling network and shaping a plan that works for all ages and abilities.”

Bike Your City: Cycling Master Plan is an update to the 2008 Bikeways Network Master Plan, and represents many changes both the City and transportation industry have witnessed in over a decade. It is geared towards a broad spectrum of existing and potential cyclists by creating a network for those who are interested in cycling but might be hesitant to ride on the road.

Increased cycling as a mode of active transportation has many benefits, including reducing automobile dependence and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increasing physical activity and improving health outcomes, increasing social connections, and reducing infrastructure demands. As such, the Plan promotes cycling as a safe, practical, convenient, and attractive transportation and recreation option for residents and visitors of Cambridge.

The City consulted extensively with hundreds of residents and key stakeholders through online and in‑person engagement tools as well as stakeholder and community workshops to develop a collective vision for cycling in Cambridge.

For more information on Bike Your City: Cycling Master Plan and for a full copy of the plan, visit www.cambridge.ca/BikeYourCity.