Commuter Challenge kick-off! - Focus is on walking and cycling in Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region – On June 4, the Region of Waterloo is partnering with the City of Kitchener and Sustainable Waterloo Region to host a series of events about sustainable transportation. The public is invited to join them from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the University of Waterloo School Of Pharmacy (at the corner of King and Victoria Streets) in downtown Kitchener.

First up is the Public Consultation Centre for Walk Cycle Waterloo Region. The public is invited to provide their feedback on proposed walking and cycling networks that have been developed as part of the Region’s Active Transportation Master Plan process. They can also provide their input online anytime at http://WalkCycleWR.regionofwaterloo.ca. The Region is also looking for input on a cycling and walking access plan for the future King/Victoria Transit Hub. The Transit Hub, at the corner of King and Victoria Streets in downtown Kitchener, will connect light rail transit, GO Transit, GRT, VIA rail, inter-city bus service, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians.

Also on the agenda for June 4 is a presentation at 6 p.m. by international cycling expert Hans Moor, who has been invited by the City of Kitchener to share his experience with cycling in the Netherlands and here in Canada. Hans is the President of Citizens for Safe Cycling, Senior Economic Officer at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and a writer and blogger. He was born in the Netherlands and moved to Canada when he was 35. He has presented to audiences across the country about cycling and cycling advocacy. 

Staff from the Region of Waterloo, the City of Kitchener and Sustainable Waterloo Region will be on hand to answer questions, highlight various sustainable travel activities and initiatives, and to celebrate the first day of Commuter Challenge 2012. 

Commuter Challenge is an annual week-long nationwide event hosted by the Region of Waterloo to encourage commuters to adopt sustainable travel habits by trying out cycling, walking, transit, carpooling or anything else that doesn’t involve driving alone. Get more information locally by checking out the Region of Waterloo’s page at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/commuterchallenge, or register yourself or your workplace on the national site at www.commuterchallenge.ca.

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For more information on Walk Cycle Waterloo Region, please contact Paula Sawicki at 519-575-4035 or psawicki@regionofwaterloo.ca.

For more information on the Transit Hub access plan or Commuter Challenge, please contact John Hill at 519-575-4019 or jhill@reigonofwaterloo.ca.