1. Bike Parking

Good bike parking makes it easier — and safer — to ride to where you’re going. Here’s what to look for, and where to find it in Waterloo Region.

Guides

• Parking your bicycle — what makes a good bike rack, how to lock your bike properly, and a list of rack suppliers if you’re a business owner looking to install one.
• Grand River Rocks on Lead — a real example of a local business upgrading their bike parking, and the drop in theft they saw as a result.

Tools

• Bike Racks Map — our community-reviewed map of existing bike racks around the Region, rated for sturdiness and condition.

2. Bike Safety & Lighting

Staying visible and protecting your bike from theft are two of the easiest ways to ride with more peace of mind.

Lighting

• Looking To Light Up Your Ride? — Ontario’s legal requirements for bike lights, plus recommendations for where to buy them locally and online.

Theft prevention

• Bike theft has been a growing concern in the Region. Read more about 529 Garage, a free bike registration app used by police services (including in Ontario) to help recover stolen bikes and deter theft.
• Pair registration with a good lock and smart parking choices (see our Bike Parking resources).

3. Winter Cycling

Cycling through a Waterloo Region winter is very doable — here’s how to dress, what to expect from the roads, and how to keep riding through the cold.

• Winter Cycling 101 — tips from our Winter Cycling Clinic for Women & Non-binary Folks: dressing in layers, tire choice, and riding technique on snow and ice.
• 8 Things You Should Know About Winter Bike Facility Maintenance in Kitchener-Waterloo — how the Region clears bike lanes and multi-use paths in winter, and what to do if a route isn’t maintained.

4. Buying a Bike

Thinking about your next bike — including one that can carry more than just you?

• What Kind of Cargo Bike Would You Buy? — a comparison of longtail, front-loader (bakfiets), and trike-style cargo bikes for commuting, hauling kids, or business deliveries.

5. EngageWR

Stay up to date on ongoing and planned cycling infrastructure projects in the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, the Townships, and the Region of Waterloo through EngageWR.