Cycling and Walking

Fall is a great time to connect and get active as a family! Take in the fall colours, walk a corn-maze or pumpkin patch or take a scenic stroll through Pickering's Nautical Village that seamlessly connects to the Waterfront Trail.

Email ActiveTransportation@durham.ca to request the Family Walking Tour fact sheet and directions.

Did you know that Uxbridge is the Trail Capital of Canada? With more than 220 kilometres of trails for hiking, leisurely strolls and a mix of short and long routes there is no shortage of scenic paths for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy at their own pace.

Email ActiveTransportation@durham.ca to request the Get Active Walking Tour fact sheet and directions.

Travel back in time and learn about Oshawa's strong industrial past by visiting the city's historic sites including Parkwood Estates - home to founding President of General Motors Canada, Colonel Sam McLaughlin - on this historical walking tour of Oshawa.

Email ActiveTransportation@durham.ca to request the Historical Walking Tour fact sheet and directions.

For more ways to join the WALKtober fun, check out these fun farm activities happening across Durham Region.

Email ActiveTransportation@durham.ca to request the WALKtober Farm Activities fact sheet.

Durham Region has more than 350 kilometres of trails for visitors and residents of all ages and abilities to explore. Check out the Interactive Trails Map and Durham Region Trails Guide for more information on other trails to explore during WALKtober.

Interactive Trails Map

Durham Region Trails Guide

Interested in learning more about your community? Check out more walking tours developed by other organizations in Durham Region:

• Canadian Automotive Museum Fall Downtown Walking Tour - A guided walking tour of downtown Oshawa and the museum's collection of vehicles. The tour will be held on October 17th, and participants must purchase tickets.
• Discover Uxbridge Public Art Tours - Self-guided walking tours of Uxbridge's indoor and outdoor public art installations.
• Clarington Historic Tours - Self-guided walking tours of Tyrone, Bowmanville, Orono, Newtonville, Newcastle, Jury Lands and Solina.
• Whitby Heritage and History Walking Tours - Five self-guided walking tours designed to help residents and visitors become familiar with the history and significance of some of Town of Whitby's heritage buildings and neighbourhoods.

Walking and cycling are both great ways for children and adults to achieve the recommended number of minutes of physical activity per week as recommended by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). Visit CSEP's website to learn more about the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines.

Active modes of transportation, such as cycling and walking, can help people to:

• Achieve and maintain a healthier weight and improve cardiovascular and respiratory health.
• Improve mental health and well-being; manage stress and anxiety.
• Improve sleep, learning, concentration and memory.

Participating in physical activities like walking and biking can help lower your risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Other benefits of walking, cycling and other forms of active transportation include:

• Reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduce pollution and congestion.
• Reduce the amount of money you spend on gas, vehicle maintenance and parking.

Before you head out on a bike, prepare yourself by learning about what equipment you will need, proper bike maintenance, the rules of the road and riding safely. Here are some resources that can help:

• Ontario's Safe Cycling Guide
• Durham Region Youth Cycling Guide
• CAN-BIKE Online Education

All DRT buses are equipped with bike racks. They hold up to two bicycles and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You are responsible for loading and unloading your bicycle. 

Before the bus arrives

Remove loose items from your bike, such as water bottles or items in your basket. 

When the bus arrives

Make eye contact with the driver. Signal to them that you are going to be using the bike rack.

1. Open the rack: At the front of the bus, lift up the handle near the top of the bike rack and lower it.
2. Put bike on rack: If there is no other bike, place your bike on the slot closest to the bus.
3. Move the arm: Lift the support arm up and over the front tire. 

Getting off the bus

Let the drive know that you will be taking your bike. To remove your bike, lift up the arm and place it down on the rack. Take your bike off the rack, and if there are no other bikes, lift the rack back onto the bus.

Trying to understand where you're legally allowed to ride a bike? Rules can vary from municipality to municipality.

On the Road 

A bicycle is considered a vehicle under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities to obey all traffic laws as other road users. A bike travelling on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic should stay as close as possible to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway. You can legally ride your bike on any road in Ontario unless:

• The road is an expressway or freeway highway (such as Highway 401 or 407).
• No Bicycle signs are posted.

On multi-use trails

More than 350 kilometres of recreational trails weave throughout Durham Region. Here are some resources to help you plan your next cycling trip.

Cycling map and brochures

• Ajax Trail Map
• Clarington Cycling Map
• Durham Cycle Tours Map
• Durham Trails Interactive Map
• Great Lakes Waterfront Trail Map
• Oshawa Recreational Trails Brochure
• Ontario Greenbelt Cycling Route
• Town of Whitby Active Transportation Map

Learn more about trails and cycling in your municipality

• Town of Ajax
• Township of Brock
• Municipality of Clarington
• City of Oshawa
• City of Pickering
• Township of Scugog
• Township of Uxbridge
• Town of Whitby