Kitchener City Council approves downtown cycling grid
Kitchener City Council has approved the downtown cycling grid, connecting the downtown core to adjacent neighbourhoods.
“This isn’t just about the strong local demand for active transportation,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “This is about planning for the thousands of people moving into the downtown core in the coming years. The record-breaking number of development projects downtown will soon be welcoming many new residents. A healthy mix of transportation options for those residents isn’t a nice-to-have, it is absolutely critical.”
In total, the grid consists of 10 km of new or upgraded infrastructure:
- 2.8 km of separated cycling facilities that create a grid of east/west and north/south corridors in and through the downtown.
- 6.6 km of neighbourhood bikeways that will connect surrounding neighbourhoods to the downtown.
- A 0.6 km multi-use trail that will help connect the Civic District, Spur Line Trail and Olde Berlin Town neighbourhoods to the downtown.
This project has concluded. On Dec 14, 2020 Kitchener City Council approved the downtown cycling grid, connecting the downtown core to adjacent neighbourhoods and regional cycling arteries. Public consultation showed a strong desire for better-connected cycling options downtown and for more people-friendly transportation options. The population in downtown continues to grow at a rapid pace in the downtown and many are looking for greater mode choice. The pandemic has also highlighted the demand for high quality cycling facilities as we adjust to the new norm. A downtown grid was identified as a necessary step in connecting Kitchener’s neighbourhoods together, and the community identified their preference of which streets would receive cycling upgrades in the downtown. Changes were made to the plan as a result of the latest round of communication, including changes to Joseph, Duke, Ontario and Water Streets.
