Ride with Candidates: Anna Meksavanh – Kitchener Regional Council

For the 2026 municipal elections, CycleWR volunteers have been taking municipal electoral candidates on bike rides to show off the best and worst of the cycling infrastructure in their ward/city/region.

Below is a summary written by Kitchener Regional Council candidate, Anna Meksavanh on their walk with CycleWR volunteer Philip Molto.

Disclaimer: CycleWR is a non-partisan organization that does not endorse a party or candidate. Summaries are written by volunteers or candidates and may not reflect the mandate or views of CycleWR. For more information, contact us at hello@cyclewr.ca.

I was matched with Phil for my CycleWR Rides with Candidates, and he was kind enough to meet me on my side of town to show me a nearby trail. We went for a walk together along the path in Budd Park in Kitchener. Before having kids, I used to cycle around the neighbourhood and on the trails near the Huron Natural Area, but I hadn’t realized there were so many other paths nearby. During this campaign and my walk with Phil, I learned more about the region’s dedicated cycling paths. These paths function like a cycling highway, keeping riders separate from the roadway while providing direct routes that span all the way from St. Jacobs to Paris. Having grown up in Cambridge walking the paths along the Grand River, it is amazing to see how those trails now connect to the rest of the region. Phil took the time to explain how the trail system worked and where the routes lead from a cyclist’s perspective.

During our walk, we also discussed several critical areas for improvement:

1. Connectivity Issues

Abrupt Endings: There are parts of the trail that simply end or have gaps, which makes cycling difficult in certain areas of the city and forces cyclists onto busier roads without protected lanes.
Unpaved Surfaces: Not all parts of the trail are paved. Many sections consist of gravel, which prevents snow clearing in the winter, causing seasonal disconnections, and makes the trails impossible to use during winter.
Maintenance Challenges: We discussed how the heavy use of salt on winter trails is corrosive to bike chains.

2. Safety of Trail Users

Infrastructure Quality & Balance: We discussed road safety for cyclists and the vital importance of physical separation. A painted white line on the roadway is not best practice; it fails to clearly protect the space, making it an unsafe option. However, Phil was adamant about balancing the needs of cyclists with motorists. He emphasized that cycling lanes must be considerate of residents and local businesses. This means ensuring they retain essential access to the front of their properties for garbage pickup, delivery drop-offs, and medical service providers.
Inclusivity for All Riders: To make cycling truly accessible, we must consider all skill levels. An average cyclist, let alone a family or a youth riding alone, would not feel safe in many of our current designated lanes.
Safety for Women and New Users: Phil shared that there are local women’s cycling groups, and I expressed my own concerns about walking or cycling alone after dark. Personally, I would not venture away from the road into unlit areas where there is no visibility from others. We discussed how we can make off-road trails feel safer, and more welcoming to women and new users.

3. Cycling Rules and Resources

Public Education: We talked about cyclist rules and practices, and how that information needs to be widely shared so both trail users and drivers are better informed.
Digital Tools: Phil highlighted the resources available on the CycleWR Website, including a free app featuring a full map of the trails, a tool that would be incredibly helpful for anyone who feels directionally challenged (like me).

I am deeply grateful for my walk and discussion with Phil because it has allowed me to look at our infrastructure differently, from the perspective of a cyclist. Supporting active transportation that is competitive with driving only makes our community stronger. It benefits every resident, whether they use the trails or not, by reducing car traffic and keeping everyone safer.

Now that Phil has shown me around, I feel comfortable and confident using the trail and look forward to enjoying it with my family. This meeting will have a lifelong impact on us, and I hope to provide these same safe, accessible opportunities to learn about our trails to all my neighbours as your Regional Councillor.