For avid cyclists, the trails and sights alone make it worthwhile to move to Peterborough. In June 2020, the city kicked off the “Cycling Master Plan,” an ambitious, 20-year objective to improve and grow the cycling infrastructure. Not that the trail system isn’t already impressive. Currently, there are over 80 kilometres of bike lanes and multi-use trails to explore. The goal is to increase it to over 284 km of spectacular trails that will make you never want to leave.
There are endless miles of nature and scenery to enjoy, many without worrying about the traffic. Are you ready to begin your adventure? Let’s take a look at all that Peterborough and the Kawarthas offer cyclists at every level.
Peterborough’s Green Cycling Initiative
The city is doing everything it can to encourage more people to cycle. There are few better ways to get your exercise in for the day. And as more designated bike lanes pop up, it becomes easier and safer to bike instead of driving to work or school.
Directional signs along cycling routes keep you on your path, and you’ll find plenty of bike parking available all over the city.
GreenUP and B!ke provide several workshops throughout the year, including:
- Active School Travel
- Rack n’ Roll
- Shifting Gears
- Winter Wheels
With all of the resources available to you, no cycling-related question will ever go unanswered!
Peterborough has so much to offer everyone, from single professionals and retirees to young families. Want to know more? Check out our other posts below:
Safe Cycling
With nearly 300 km in trails coming soon, you’ll want to stay safe and sound so you can enjoy your wheels for life! With that in mind, it’s a good idea to review a few safety precautions:
- Riding on sidewalks is not allowed anywhere downtown. Children under 14 can ride on sidewalks outside of the downtown core. The good news is that there are many trails, dedicated bike lanes and quiet streets where you can get anywhere you need to go safely!
- How do you know if a street has a designated bike lane? A bike stencil and diamond shapes on the pavement make them easy to recognize! Be sure to stay out of the buffer zone for added safety. You can find out more about the rules for Peterborough’s cycling lanes here.
- Always wear an approved bicycle helmet. Though not mandatory for adults over 18, a helmet can protect you from severe injury or worse.
- Be mindful of traffic even when using designated cycling lanes. Although Peterborough is one of the best cities for cycling, some intersections are busy, and you should use extreme caution. If possible, we recommend avoiding the intersections at Charlotte and Park, Lansdowne and the Parkway, and Clonsilla Ave and Sherbrook Ave.
- Cycle in a group or with a partner. It is always safer to avoid cycling alone if you can help it. And besides, what activity isn’t much more fun with a friend by your side?
Ready for a change in your life? Peterborough is a fantastic place for a fresh new start! Find out why in our Relocation Guide, which you can download right here.
The Cycling Must-Sees of Peterborough and the Kawarthas
With over 80 km of trails, it’s impossible to do justice to them all. However, here are a few of our favourite places you have to visit:
Trans Canada Trail
We bet you didn’t know that Kawartha had its own section of the Trans Canada Trail, and you don’t want to miss it. Imagine 3-metre wide limestone, providing a flat surface and easy ride for cyclists of all levels. The trail runs for a whopping 53.8 km, so get ready for the ride of a lifetime! There are several notable must-see points of interest along the way:
Doube’s Trestle Bridge: Suspended 29 metres over Buttermilk Valley, this 200-metre steel bridge provides a dazzling view of the forest and stream below. People come from as far away as Toronto to take in the sights. And anyone will tell you it’s well worth the trip!
Beaver Lodge by Omemee: Beavers are known for their industriousness, but they’ve really outdone themselves with this impressive lodge they’ve built on the wetlands of the Kawarthas. It’s something you simply have to see to believe. You may also catch a glimpse of turtles and other wildlife, so don’t forget to bring your camera.
Mill Pond Forest Trails
Looking for a peaceful but fun way to spend time with your family? Mill Pond Forest offers three trails that range from 200 to 900 metres. They are short and easy enough for cyclists of all ages, allowing everyone to appreciate the beautiful forest and views of the pond.
A picnic area is provided, so be sure to pack some snacks to keep your energy up.
Looking for more fun things to do in Peterborough? The list never ends!
- The Lakes Near Peterborough You Have To Visit
- Exciting Events In Peterborough In Spring
- 8 Things To Do In The Kawarthas In The Summer
Rotary Greenway Trail
Rotary Greenway Trail offers 7 km of paved trail from Ashburnham Dr to Nassau Mills Rd (near Trent University). Cycle at your own pace through a variety of parks and breathtaking ecosystems. Keep your eyes open for wildlife sightings as you pedal. Peterborough’s many trails provide a welcome relief from the bustling city!
Bethune Street
What if you like cycling in the city where you can visit your favourite shops and wave “hello” to passersby? Wait until you see the city’s plan for Bethune Street! The section between McDonnel and Townsend St is currently under construction, but this downtown area is about to become a cyclist’s paradise. It’s designed for relaxed, slow-moving traffic, with many impressive sights along the way, including street art, landscaped architecture and green spaces. Once complete, Bethune Street will also connect the downtown core to many of Peterborough’s existing parks and trails.
Does all this talk about Peterborough’s beautiful trails have you tempted to move here? If so, we are happy to point you in the right direction. Find out more about how we help buyers here.
When we’re not hard at work helping our clients, we love being active and spending time in the outdoors. For a closer look at what it’s like to be a top real estate agent in Peterborough, check out this video and see a day in the life of Jeff here:
