Construction is set to begin on the first phase of Kitchener’s downtown cycling grid. When combined with walking and public transit, cycling provides an affordable and sustainable transportation option that helps our community reach its climate action goals.  

Running until Sept., construction will add protected bike lanes on portions of Joseph, Water and Queen streets, as well as new speed limits and wayfinding on several quiet neighbourhood streets.   

Construction will take place a couple of blocks at a time to minimize disruptions, beginning on Joseph Street. Access to businesses will remain open at all times. 

Joseph Street

Protected bike lanes on Joseph Street will create a trail-like experience parallel to the LRT and connect to the future transit hub through a trail at the back of the university lands past Victoria Street. A section of Joseph Street will be converted to one-way vehicle traffic, between David and Victoria streets.

Protected bike lanes on Joseph Street will create a trail-like experience parallel to the LRT and connect to the future transit hub through a trail at the back of the university lands past Victoria Street. A section of Joseph Street will be converted to one-way vehicle traffic, between David and Victoria streets.

Water Street

Water Street will provide a direct connection between the Iron Horse Trail and the Spurline Trail – our busiest two trails - connecting the cores of Kitchener and Waterloo and enabling cycling access to major employers and small businesses on Water and King Streets.

Queen Street

A short connection between the end of Joseph Street and a neighbourhood bikeway on Church Street will allow cyclists to reach the east end of downtown and destinations like the Kitchener Market using Church Street.

Neighbourhood bikeways

Neighbourhood bikeways are quiet, local streets that can be enjoyed by cyclists without designated space. Reduced speed limits of 40 km/hour and enhanced wayfinding signage will be installed on portions of Breithaupt Street, Maynard Avenue, Chapel Street, Lancaster Street, Church Street, Madison Avenue, Benton Street, Water Street, David Street, Stirling Lane, and Pandora Street.

The second phase of construction for the downtown cycling grid will take place in 2022, including Cedar Street, Margaret Avenue, Otto Street and Ontario Street. The downtown cycling grid was identified by the City in its 2019-2022 Strategic Plan as one of the ways it can realize its goal of providing people-friendly transportation options. To learn more, visit www.bikekitchener.ca

The second phase of construction for the downtown cycling grid will take place in 2022, including Cedar Street, Margaret Avenue, Otto Street and Ontario Street.