Ride with Candidates: Moraa Mochama – Waterloo Ward 2

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 municipal candidate for Waterloo Ward 2, Moraa Mochama, on their ride 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.

Philip Molto (left) with Moraa Mochama

Philip Molto is a candidate in Kitchener Ward 8 who signed up as a volunteer to ride with other candidates! Moraa has given us this summary of their ride:

I’m Moraa Mochama, and I’m running for Ward 2 Councillor in Waterloo. I’ve spent the last decade quietly involved in this community, and I’m running because I want to be a voice for my neighbours. Ward 2 is growing, and I want that growth to protect green spaces, create places for people to gather, and make it easy for everyone to get around, whether they walk, bike, take transit or drive.

I had a great time riding with Philip, who knows our cycling network inside and out. I learned a lot just by listening to him point things out along the way.

What’s working

  • The west end has some really good multi-use paths especially near the dog park towards Costco. They’re wide, comfortable and feel safe for someone like me who is not a confident cyclist. They show what’s possible when the City gets it right.

What needs work

  • Signage. It wasn’t always clear where to go next. Better signs would help cyclists find the safe routes that already exist, especially people who are new to riding or new to the area.
  • More multi-use paths for families. Many parents won’t ride on the road with young kids, and I don’t blame them. Off-road paths are what get families out on bikes together.
  • Safe routes to school. There’s no safe way to bike to Vista Hills Public School right now. Kids should be able to ride to school, and parents should feel good letting them.
  • A more connected city. You should be able to get from the west end to the east side on bike lanes and paths without hitting gaps. Right now the good pieces don’t always connect.

The building blocks are already here. What we need now is to connect them so riding is a real option for everyone, not just the most confident cyclists.