Ride with Candidates: Chantal Huinink, Regional Council – Waterloo

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 CycleWR volunteer Adrian Vantyghem, on their ride with municipal candidate for Waterloo Regional Council, Chantal Huinink.

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.

Chantal uses a motorized wheelchair, so she gets around town by rolling and public transit

We met at Waterloo Public Square and took a leisurely roll in and around Waterloo Park. We took Father David Bauer to the park entrance on Westmount, rolled through the park, and continued along Seagram and Albert before returning to Waterloo Public Square.

At the Westmount entrance to Waterloo Park we paused to discuss the lack of cycling connectivity along that stretch of road. Chantal was amenable to the suggestion of adding a MUP to the east side of Westmount between University and either the park entrance or Father David Bauer.

Taking this entrance into the park, we were faced with accessibility challenges. The gravel path was too bumpy and uneven for the wheelchair, and the road had quite a few potholes.

Chantal asked about speed limits on MUPs as a response to e-scooters and e-bikes that ride at dangerous speeds. We discussed whether this would be effective and how difficult it might be to enforce. Chantal was very open to feedback.

We discussed existing gaps in Waterloo’s cycling network, including the two-phase plan to add AAA cycling paths to University from Weber to Albert and Albert to Westmount. Chantal is very familiar with the need for safe and connected infrastructure, and asked to be sent the full list I prepared so that she could familiarize herself with the existing lack of safe infrastructure.

She expressed her support for micromobility programs and adding Lime e-bikes

We spoke briefly about dangerous trail crossings at regional roads, such as the Laurel Trail at Weber. She is very interested in hearing more about what can be done to improve those crossings for vulnerable road users.