Ride with Candidates: Ross Earnshaw – Cambridge Ward 4

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 Selwyn Langlois, on their ride with municipal candidate for Cambridge Ward 4, Ross Earnshaw.

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.

Yesterday Councilor Earnshaw and I cycled a 2 hour approximately 25 km loop from downtown Galt to Blair then Preston and back. We travelled the Walter Bean Trail, the Bob McMullen Linear Trail, the Dumfries Conservation Area, etc.

With both of us being avid cyclists, having lived in Cambridge for over 30 years and serving on the CCTAC, we are quite familiar with the shortcomings with respect to cycling infrastructure. Cambridge has a ways to go to catch up to K-W. 

Here is a summary of our discussions:

  • The top priority would be to have more and better wayfinding signage. At several intersections there is no way to know where the cycling route continues if you are not familiar with the city.
  • There is no way of knowing that there is a trail down by Riverbluffs Park.
  • The right side of the Walter Bean Trail heading toward Blair (nearest the open rare fields) is very bumpy with cracked asphalt and potholes.
  • A pedestrian bridge over the Speed River from Fountain St. near Preston Pkwy to the Linear Trail was rejected by rare but is definitely needed.
  • Fountain St. from Preston Pkwy to Shantz Hill needs an MUT or a bike lane.
  • Fountain at King St. has MUT on one-side leading to Riverside Park but no direction to the Linear Trail on the other side.
  • Stage 3 of the Dunbar Rd. MUT from Hespeler Rd to Conestoga Blvd will be a welcomed addition.
  • The MUT to be built on Elgin St. from Avenue Rd to Samuel St. will be a long awaited completion to the Cambridge Loop. 
  • Disappointed that the Region has delayed for several years now the bike route down Coronation Blvd, the only direct way to get from Preston to Galt. 
  • Looking forward to what is decided for Ainslie or Water and downtown Galt bike route.
  • We both feel comfortable on painted bike lanes and do not necessarily required separated bike routes.