Halton Hills provides both the serious and recreational cyclist 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. 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.
Learn more about Active Transportation in Halton Hills
Bike It Committee |
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The Halton Hills Bike It Committee 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 committee 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 committee is always interested in welcoming new members. Please contact Ivan Drewnitski, Transportation Planning Technologist, or Councillor Jane Fogal if you are interested in volunteering. |
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 Technologist 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. |
Bike It Halton Hills
Used Bike Swap - April 30, 2022 |
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Join the Halton Hills Bike it Committee on April 30, 2022 for their annual Bike Swap, an event that gives residents the opportunity to recycle their used (in working condition) bikes in an environmentally friendly way by putting them in the hands of those who can use them. Event runs from 10 a.m. to noon at the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre (11620 Trafalgar Road). Donate your used bikes & trikes or get a used bike for a great deal with all proceeds going to local food banks! DonateDonated bikes and trikes can be dropped off at the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre April 27-29, 2022 between 5 and 7 p.m. OR the morning of the event (April 30) between 8 and 11 a.m. BuyBikes can be purchased on April 30, 2022 from 10 a.m. to noon at Robert C. Austin Operations Centre. Bikes will be sold "as is" and priced as follows (cash only):
COVID-19 GuidelinesWhile masks are not required, we request that residents wear then during their visit. Questions?Have questions or need more information on the Used Bike Swap? Contact hhcycling@haltonhills.ca. |
Halton Hills Cycling Map Launch - May 19, 2022 |
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The Bike It Committee is excited to introduce our first Halton Hills cycling map - a guide to cycling routes in Georgetown, Acton and rural routes such as the provincial Greenbelt Route. The 11 in-town loop routes can be enjoyed one at a time or by linking them together, giving riders the opportunity to explore Halton Hills in a unique way. The in-town routes are suitable for all levels of cycling ability and take advantage of cycling infrastructure, offering easy ways to explore neighbourhoods in Georgetown and Acton. Most of the routes are suitable for family rides. Access the cycling map online and stay tuned for paper copies, available at Halton Hills Public Library branches and recreational facilities. |
Community Loop Ride - May 19, 2022 |
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Join the Bike It Committee as we launch the Halton Hills Bike Map on May 19, 2022 (6 p.m.) at the Gellert Centre in Georgetown! This free event will feature community bike rides on a choice of 2 different loop rides led by our Bike-It Committee members. Pick up free bike lights and bells cycling guidebooks. Tips on safe cycling will be offered including how to set up your helmet before we set off on our community group ride. Both of this evening’s loop rides are on multi-use paths and bike lanes wherever possible but also go on roads where necessary. Neither of these rides are not suitable for children under the age of 8 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Helmets are mandatory. The Georgetown South-West LoopView the Georgetown South-West Loop on Google Maps. This ride is on level terrain and makes good use of cycling infrastructure. It is suitable novice to intermediate cyclists and for children aged 8 and older accompanied by an adult. The ride will be led by our Bike It volunteers The Georgetown LoopThis ride is best for Intermediate and advanced riders due to the distance, terrain and the necessity to occasionally be on roads without bike infrastructure. Our route travels from Georgetown South to downtown Georgetown, turns west on Princess Anne Drive to Atwood Ave, goes under the train line to the Moore Park neighbourhood and through an older neighbourhood on Ewing Street. It then passes through the underpass on McNabb Street to King Street, crosses Mountainview at Armstrong where it picks up the multi-use path, crosses highway 7 to pick up the bike facility on Delrex Blvd. The route crossed Mountainview and turns onto Irwin Cres in order to avoid cycling on Mountainview. The route uses the cut through back to Mountainview pickup up the multi-use path all the way to 10th Side Road multi-use path and on to the 8th Line returning back to the Gellert. Participants are asked to let us know your intention to participate by emailing hhcycling@haltonhills.ca Please let us know if you are riding solo or are bringing others in order that we can plan properly. |
Bike it to Market - June 18, 2022 |
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Saturday June 18 from 8 a.m. to noon, ride your bike to the Georgetown Farmers Market and enjoy a free pancake breakfast! Ride a closed Main Street (Church St. to Maple Ave.) or visit us at our free secure bike parking in the Main Street parking lot and leave it with us for safe keeping while you browse the market and downtown. Pancake breakfast courtesy of the Georgetown Rotary Club, with coffee and orange juice courtesy of McDonald’s. More information, email hhcycling@haltonhills.ca. |
Bike it to Leathertown Festival - August 14, 2022 |
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Ride on down to the annual Leathertown Festival in Downtown Acton and valet your bike in our complementary secure bike parking from noon to 4 p.m. Hosted by the Halton Hills Bike It Committee, look for us in the GO station parking lot at the eastern edge of the festival on Eastern Ave. and Church St. in Acton. While you're there, join us for the Acton Neighbourhood Cycling Tour starting at 12:30 p.m. Tour information and registration details below. Learn more about the Leathertown Festival, an event celebrating the people and talent of Halton Hills. |
Acton Neighbourhoods Cycling Tour - August 14, 2022 |
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Whether you are a visitor or resident, join our group for a free tour that travels through the many diverse neighbourhoods of Acton. This is family friendly tour and a leisurely exploration of the Acton community including the Acton Community Centre and adjacent forest, the post WWII neighbourhood, the Acton library branch, Prospect Park, local churches and old downtown residential areas. The tour starts at our Leathertown Festival valet bike parking located in the Acton GO Station parking lot. There is no charge for this event. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Helmets are required. Email hhcycling@haltonhills.ca for inquiries and to register for the tour.
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Cycling Initiatives 2022
- Bike lanes added to Tanners Drive from Churchill Road North to Churchill Road South
- The implementation of phase 2 of cycling infrastructure along Maple Ave from Trafalgar Road to Main Street. The infrastructure will include a cycling track to enable increased Active Transportation.
- Reconstruct 22nd Side Road, 30m east of Elizabeth Street to Highway 7 (Trafalgar Road), upgraded roadway to current standards will improve safety for vehicular traffic and provide paved shoulders for improved pedestrian and cycling safety.
- The rehabilitation of Mountainview Road bridge over Hungry Hollow to provide a safe and reliable level of service for transportation and active transportation.
- The replacement of the culvert over Beeney Creek on Sixth Line including installation of a guiderail to protect the travelling public.
- The resurfacing of Mountainview Road from Maple Avenue to John Street. This project will incorporate active transportation facilities along Mountainview Road.
- A new multiuse asphalt pathway will be installed on the west side of Sinclair Avenue from Guelph Street to Duncan Drive.
- The Town will be introducing its very first bike signal at the intersection of Guelph and Sinclair.
- The Town will be installing a variety of signed bike routes with pavement markings at several locations as approved within the Towns Active Transportation Master Plan.
- Town of Halton Hills will be participating in Bike Month 2022.
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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