Rapid Re-Allocation of Road Space for Active Transportation to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic

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This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s): An icon representing the Region's strategic focus area Sustainable transportation.

The Region of Waterloo's Strategic Plan includes a focus on providing opportunities to promote and encourage active transportation. Active transportation not only provides climate change and greenhouse gas reduction, it also provides health benefits to pedestrians and cyclists. These temporary cycling lanes have created increased space for cyclists, additional connectivity to the cycling network, and has encouraged new riders, including those who may not feel comfortable taking GRT during the pandemic.

The reduced traffic volumes have also presented the Region with a unique opportunity to install the temporary cycling lanes and study the potential benefits and impacts on the selected Regional roads. The data we collect will help to inform future decisions on active transportation infrastructure in Waterloo Region.

The roads that were selected for the temporary facilities are either gaps in the existing cycling network and/or are planned for cycling facilities in the future.

On June 24 Regional Council voted to implement the temporary bike lanes. The temporary bike lanes are now fully installed and will remain in place until October 30, 2020.



This project supports the Region of Waterloo's strategic focus area(s): An icon representing the Region's strategic focus area Sustainable transportation.

The Region of Waterloo's Strategic Plan includes a focus on providing opportunities to promote and encourage active transportation. Active transportation not only provides climate change and greenhouse gas reduction, it also provides health benefits to pedestrians and cyclists. These temporary cycling lanes have created increased space for cyclists, additional connectivity to the cycling network, and has encouraged new riders, including those who may not feel comfortable taking GRT during the pandemic.

The reduced traffic volumes have also presented the Region with a unique opportunity to install the temporary cycling lanes and study the potential benefits and impacts on the selected Regional roads. The data we collect will help to inform future decisions on active transportation infrastructure in Waterloo Region.

The roads that were selected for the temporary facilities are either gaps in the existing cycling network and/or are planned for cycling facilities in the future.

On June 24 Regional Council voted to implement the temporary bike lanes. The temporary bike lanes are now fully installed and will remain in place until October 30, 2020.



  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic volumes on area municipality and Regional roads are approximately 33 per cent lower. 

    Staff have received requests and proposals to consider a temporary reallocation of some road space on Regional roads to create temporary new facilities for active transportation, such as walking and cycling. This would allow for proper physical distancing on busy sidewalks and continue through the summer to October 2020.

    We invite you to give us your feedback on this project by answering the questions in the brief survey. We will collect the feedback and report the findings back to Council in late September or early October. Please note that we will not be responding to individual feedback submitted through the survey. If you would like to make a complaint, please use the Region of Waterloo's online complaints form. Or, you can call the Region 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 519-575-4400 or TTY 519-575-4608, to speak to a staff member. 

    The survey is expected to take 2-5 minutes of your time to fill out, so please let us know what you think!

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic volumes on area municipality and Regional roads are approximately 33 per cent lower than pre-COVID levels. Staff have received requests and proposals to consider a temporary reallocation of road space on Regional roads to create new facilities for active transportation, such as cycling lanes. These lanes would  continue through the summer months to October 2020. 

    We invite you to give us your feedback on this proposal by answering the questions in this brief survey. The survey will be open until the end of day on Friday, June 26, 2020. It is expected to take 2-5 minutes of your time to fill out, so please let us know what you think!

    Responses to the survey will collected together and reported as a whole, which may include averages, percentages and themes. Your responses will remain confidential and any identifying information will be removed. A small number of staff at the Region will have access to the data and the data will be used in a public report. The report may be used on the Region's social media channels, website, EngageWR platform and will be reported back to Council. 

    If you have questions about the survey, please contact Catherine McCall, Supervisor, Administration and Coordination by email at cmccall@regionofwaterloo.ca or Matthew Ropp, Supervisor, Transportation Operations by email at mropp@regionofwaterloo.ca. For questions about other services, please call the Region of Waterloo 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 519-575-4400 or TTY 519-575-4608 to reach a staff member.

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Page last updated: 20 Oct 2021, 01:57 PM