Region of Waterloo Launches Happy Cycling Campaign

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo is proud to launch the Happy Cycling Campaign to inform the growing population of cyclists in Waterloo Region about the importance of road safety. 

People in Waterloo Region are increasingly riding their bikes all year round as a fun and active way to get to work and run errands. The Happy Cycling Campaign is part of a broader effort to make our roads safer and more enjoyable for everyone. The Region, together with the Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, are partnering with the Working Centre to hire bike ambassadors trained in urban cycling. The Happy Cycling Campaign will also use community volunteers, a cycling safety booklet, and the Happy Streets Movement blog to help get the message out.

“Whether you drive, walk, cycle or take transit – we all use roads to get around,” said John Hill, Principal Planner with the Region of Waterloo and an active cyclist. “The Happy Cycling Campaign was designed by cyclists for cyclists, with the goal of changing the way we ride around town on roads and local trails.”

A 2010 study by the University of Waterloo found that cyclists in Waterloo region are using their bikes more often as a way to forego owning a second car. As the number of cyclists continue to grow in Waterloo Region, it is important to remind them how following the rules of the road will help them stay safe. Statistics show that riding on sidewalks and through cross walks is a factor in 86 per cent of collisions involving bikes in Waterloo Region, while riding on the wrong side of the road is a contributing factor in 60 per cent of bike collisions.

“The best thing we cyclists can do is to be predictable. Riding on the right-hand side of the road, for example, is key because drivers are used to looking in that direction for oncoming traffic,” said Hill.

To promote safety, volunteers with the Happy Cycling Campaign will be giving prizes to cyclists who are riding safely across the region. Cyclists are also encouraged to go to www.travelwisecyclingquiz.com to complete the campaign quiz for a chance to win a $500 gift card for a bike store of their choice in Waterloo Region. Any cycling clubs, bike shops or community groups interested in joining the initiative are asked to contact TravelWise@regionofwaterloo.ca for more information.

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For more information, please contact:

James LaPointe, Principal Planner, 519-575-3755, JLaPointe@regionofwaterloo.ca

The Region of Waterloo provides more than 60 per cent of municipal services to a growing population of 550,000 people. We are committed to creating an inclusive, thriving and sustainable community through innovative leadership and a range of services such as: public health, social services, planning, heritage, water supply, regional roads, waste management, ambulance service, rural libraries, public transit, community housing, emergency planning, Provincial Offences Courts and airport services.