Halton Hills provides both the serious and recreational cyclists with a selection of scenic rides. From escarpments and valleys to the Greenbelt Cycling Route, pass through the charming hamlets of Glen Williams, Terra Cotta and more beautiful terrain perfect for cyclists.
Halton Hills approved its first Bicycle Master Plan in 2010 which has since been updated to the Active Transportation Master Plan in 2020. Since then, in-town cycling has improved annually with investments in safe cycling infrastructure including bike lanes, multi-use paths, and trails suitable for bicycles. Directional signage throughout the Town helps to direct cyclists to the best cycling routes to popular destinations. Bicycle repair stations are located at the Georgetown and Acton Branches of the Halton Hills Public Library and at the Gellert Centre.
Bike It Halton Hills
Bike It Working Group |
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The Halton Hills Bike It Working Group is a group of volunteers who have a passion for promoting cycling and cycling safety. The group works in partnership with the Town of Halton Hills with the goal of achieving Silver designation in the Bicycle Friendly Community Program which is administered by the Share the Road Coalition. Halton Hills received its Bronze designation in 2014. The task force organizes a series of cycling initiatives each year that are designed to encourage more cycling by our residents. There is a need for volunteers at all of our events and the task force is always interested in welcoming new members. Contact Councillor Jane Fogal if you are interested in volunteering. |
Community Cycling Forum |
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The second Halton Hills Community Cycling Forum was designed and hosted by the volunteer members of the Bike It Working Group, which also organized the previous forum in 2019. The purpose of this second forum was to report back to the community about the progress made in advancing the Town's goal to improve cycling culture and to identify future investments and programs to enhance cycling in Halton Hills. We sincerely thank all attendees for sharing their comments. Read the 2024 Halton Hills Community Cycling Forum summary to learn more. |
Halton Hills Cycling Map |
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Grab a copy of our highly anticipated Halton Hills cycling guide, available at facilities across Halton Hills! The new guide features maps showcasing 13 loop rides across Halton Hills, offering different routes mixed with multi-use trails, park paths, bicycle lanes and signed bike routes for you next cycling trip. Get a print copy at a Halton Hills facility (while supplies last) or download a digital copy online. |
Free Bike Rack Program |
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The Town of Halton Hills’ recognizes the bottom-line benefits of businesses becoming more bike friendly for their customers and employees. This year the Town of Halton Hills is offering a FREE bike rack (valued at $600 each) to the first Halton Hills businesses that provide proof they have applied for the Bicycle Friendly Business certification through the Ontario By Bike Network. Benefits of certification
All interested businesses are encouraged to contact Ivan Drewnitski, Transportation Planning Coordinator for the Town of Halton Hills. Learn more about Bicycle Friendly Business certification criteria, how to qualify and how to register your location on the Ontario By Bike map. About the Ontario By Bike NetworkTMThe Ontario By Bike™ Network is a project by Transportation Options, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering sustainable mobility and tourism solutions across Ontario. Transportation Options engages in projects that research, develop and promote new transportation and tourism choices, with a focus on those that are integrated, environmentally sound, healthy, service-oriented, and improve the experience of users. Why should a business join the Ontario By Bike Network?
Please note bike racks are only available while supplies last. At this time due to physical constraints, we will not be accepting any applications within the Georgetown and Acton Downtown Districts. |
The Greenbelt Route |
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The Greenbelt Route is a 475 kilometre on-road signed cycling route that travels from Niagara Falls in the south west to Northumberland in the east. This amazing route travels through Halton Hills and follows rural roads through the scenic villages of Limehouse, Glen Williams and Terra Cotta. For more information on the main route or the loop routes please check out the Greenbelt Route. |
Hosting a Cycling Event |
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Are you an event organizer looking to host a cycling event in Halton Hills? Submit a Special Event Application to the Town of Halton Hills and someone will respond promptly. |
Annual Used Bike Swap |
April 2024 was another success!The Halton Hills Bike It Working Group hosted its Annual Used Bike Swap, an event that provided residents with the opportunity to recycle their bikes in an environmentally friendly way by putting them in the hands of those who can use them. Residents were encouraged to donate their used bikes and trikes (in working condition) or find a great deal on a used bike for themselves or family members, with all proceeds going to local food banks. All bikes were donated and sold as is, with proceeds from the sale donated to local food banks. Questions?For more information, please email the Halton Hills Cycling Program.
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Progressive Group Cycling Rides |
Building confidence and enduranceThe Bike It Working Group is hosting a series of progressive group rides for novice and intermediate cyclists to help improve fitness and cycling confidence. Each ride will begin with a review of the rules of the road, safety tips, and cycling skills instruction. Rides are progressively longer and hillier and will be led by Bike It volunteers. This series of rides will also be helpful to those preparing to ride in the CASHH Tour The Hills fundraising event in September. This volunteer-led series starts with a short in-town route and builds to a 15 km rural route featuring hillier terrain. There is no fee for these rides but participants are asked to register their intent to join each of the rides by email Halton Hills Cycling Program. Cyclists must wear a helmet to participate and must be at least 14 years of age to join the ride. Join us for one ride or all the rides. It is up to you. Ride 1: Dust off your Bike - Tuesday, July 9th, 6:30 p.m.Meetup location: The Old Seed House Garden parking lot (153 Maple Avenue, Georgetown) This 8 km ride is for novice cyclists and includes modest hills. View a preview of Ride 1. Ride 2: In-town Ride the Hills - Tuesday, July 30th, 6:30 p.m.Meetup location: Cedarvale Park parking lot (181 Main Street S., Georgetown) This 16 km ride has some in-town hills and extends the duration. View a preview of Ride 3 Ride 3: Acton and Leathertown Festival - Sunday, August 11th, 10:30 a.m.Meetup location: The Acton GO Station This 12.3 km ride will go out of town to experience some hills. Learn how to use gears to facilitate hill climbing and after the ride, enjoy entertainment and food at the annual Leathertown Festival. View the preview for Ride 2. Ride 4: Out of Town - Saturday, September 7th, 9 a.m.Meetup location: Cedarvale Park parking lot (181 Main Street S., Georgetown) This 15 km route will build capacity to ride further on hilly terrain. It is also an excellent warm up ride for participants in the CASHH Tour the Hills fundraising ride. View a preview of Ride 4. |
Roads are for everyone
Rules of the Road |
The one metre lawDid you know that Ontario has updated the Highway Traffic Act and it is now the law that drivers must give cyclists at least 1 metre when passing? Likewise cyclists have a responsibility to steer a predictable path and not weave in and out of parked cars. We have many more adults and children riding bikes and we want them all to arrive home safely. DooringThe new penalties for improper opening of a vehicle door (for driver or passenger) are a set fine of $300 upon conviction and 3 demerit points. The total payable fine is $365 ($set fine plus $60 victim fine surcharge and $5 court costs). The current HTA set fine for “dooring” offence is $85 upon conviction and the total payable fine is $110 ($set fine plus $20 victim fine surcharge and $5 court fees). Additionally a conviction results in 2 demerit points being added to the individual's driver record. Although cyclists may be the most commonly perceived road user affected by this behaviour, the “dooring” law applies to all road users and is not specific to cyclists. The government is committed to helping ensure the safety of not only cyclists but all road users. Fines for non-complianceThe Town has increased the fine for cyclists for non-compliance with light, reflector and reflective material requirements. Currently, the fine for non-compliance with bicycle light, reflector and reflective requirements, carries a maximum fine of $20 which is less than the majority of set fines for motorists and cyclists. Increasing this fine will put this violation in line with all other cycling violations. Intermittent flashing red lightsRed flashing lights were previously not allowed under the Highway Traffic Act even though the majority of cyclists were already using rear lamps that produce intermittent flashes of red light to make themselves more visible to others. Considering the safety benefits from the use of these lights, and to prevent cyclists from potentially being charged, the Highway Traffic Act was amended to allow bicycles to use lamps that produce intermittent flashes of red lights. A motorist may, if done safely, and in compliance with the rules of the road, cross the centre line of a roadway in order to pass a cyclist. If this cannot be done, he or she must wait behind the cyclist until it is safe to pass. Bicycle helmetsAll bicycle riders under the age of 18 need to wear an approved bicycle helmet when travelling on any public road. The total fine for not wearing a helmet is $75. When buying a helmet, look for one that fits comfortably and meets safety standards. Check the inside of the helmet for stickers from one or more of the following organizations:
Sharing the road with cyclistsThe Ontario Ministry of Transportation provides a guide for drivers sharing the road with cyclists including diagrams to illustrate different scenarios. It is good advice for everyone. Take a look at the Ministry's website. |
Frequently Asked Questions |
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