Ride with Candidates: Scott Piatkowski – Waterloo Ward 5

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 William Davis, on their ride with municipal candidate for Waterloo Ward 5, Scott Piatkowski.

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.

We started our ride near the intersection of Margaret Avenue and Rodney Street, travelling through Breithaupt Park on our way to Bluevale Street. From there, we headed north and stopped at Mayfield Avenue to discuss Scott’s proposal for a pedestrian and cycling bridge across Highway 85 into Bechtel Park.

Continuing along Bluevale, we crossed Highway 85 using the University Avenue interchange, then detoured into Bechtel Park to see where the other end of Scott’s proposed bridge could be located. We continued north along Woolwich Street before turning onto Lexington Road, where we crossed back over the highway using a quieter and more comfortable route. From there, we followed a combination of the Forwell Trail, the Laurel Trail, and Ellis Crescent to return to our starting point.

Scott is a longtime member of CycleWR who has also contributed to the development of cycling in the region through his involvement with municipal advisory committees. He is also no stranger to commuting by bicycle year-round.

During our ride, we discussed Scott’s proposal to build a pedestrian and cycling bridge over Highway 85, similar to those found in several parts of Kitchener. I found this idea particularly exciting because Lexington Road is currently the only place in Waterloo where people can cross the highway without navigating a high-speed interchange. A bridge between Bridgeport Road and University Avenue would give more people a safe and comfortable way to cross the highway without having to ride through either interchange. It would also make Bechtel Park more accessible to people walking, rolling, and cycling.

While travelling along Woolwich Street, we passed a newly constructed mixed-use development and discussed how locating commercial uses near residential areas is important for giving people practical alternatives to driving everywhere. When shops, services, and homes are close together, walking and cycling become more realistic options for everyday trips.

We also discussed the importance of timely snow clearing on the city’s bike lanes and popular trails so that people can continue commuting by bicycle throughout the winter. Another topic was the potential for a municipal bike-share system similar to those in Toronto and Montréal, which could provide a more affordable and accessible alternative to the privately operated e-scooter rentals currently available in the region, while also reducing the amount of improper parking complaints.

Overall, we had a great ride, and Scott was very enthusiastic about improving cycling infrastructure and connectivity throughout Waterloo. Remember to get out and vote on October 26!