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Early bird registration ends - June 3rd, 2016
A full and varied program for Trailhead Ontario 2016. Be sure to join us in Renfrew, but book now!!
Rooms are limited and so is the size of the conference. Trailhead Ontario 2016 Symposium Itinerary
We are going to be talking about the new Adirondack to Algonquin trail Plan with representatives from the Adirondack to Algonquin Organization - Please welcome Emily Conger from the A2A Trail Collaborative.
Work with the Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization as they expend trails in the region and take advantage of trails tourism potential in Eastern Ontario!
Over the last two years Petawawa Economic Development has spearheaded the development of a community trails committee along the lines of the OTC RTC model. Join Kelly Williams from Petawawa as he discusses the development and successes of this initiative in support of trails!
Ottawa Valley Outdoor Experiences! rarely is there so much to do in an area. Ottawa Valley has it all. Trails, amenities and more - join us as we learn about their quality and quantity of trails related destinations and experiences
Over the past 6 years the Parks of the St. Lawrence have revitalized their trail system, offering more and newer kilometers of trails in support of the park's other experiences. Welcome Lou Seiler from Parks of the St. Lawrence as he talks about the development and enactment process!
Since 2012 the Ontario Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport has worked to consult with communities on the Ontario trails strategy and the various new legislation in support of trails - i.e. "The Supporting Ontario trails Act." Come and hear from the government on the progress we are making together to make better communities through trails.
City of Ottawa Cycling and trails - Ottawa has a world class system of trails and cycling routes. Come and here the planning department talk about the fit of planning with trail development!
The National Capital Greenbelt in Ottawa has over 150 kilometres of trails that connect to the Trans Canada Trail, Rideau Trail and Capital Pathway network. Whether you have half an hour for a short hike or plan on spending the day, the Greenbelt has something for you.
Trans Canada Trail works with local partners – trail owner/operators – to plan and support development of trail across Ontario. With a connectivity challenge to be met for 2017 come and hear about how the TCT supports trails, communities and it's completion!
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and it's only right that you protect yourself while out on the trails. Lyme-carrying black-legged ticks can be found across Canada - but the highest concentration of infection is in Eastern Canada - which scientists believe is linked to climate change. Follow these tips to avoid Lyme disease. Come to the conference and hear about the strategies the working group is developing to help the public.
Sentiers Prescott Russell and Glengarry Trails are two trail supporting organizations in eastern Ontario. One is a County Committee the other operates as a "Friends of" model. Learn about both styles of operation and the trails they support!
Township of Madawaska Valley Trail is developing at a fast pace. A regional leader, the Township supports the trail enhancements for both the community and the tourist. Join us to hear about their trail gains.
Principles of Trail Risk Management, and Trails Risk Management - How to Say Yes to Trails, with Jeff Jackson, will provide the latent trail developer, or the trail leader with undeveloped projects or political will to get the trails done, with insight for planners and politicos alike to say yes to trails. We aren't as risky as you think!
Ottawa River-Keeper - programs and plans for development, they were thrilled when we contacted them, because they are a small group protecting a big river and they know you probably also have a river that needs support in order to maintain itself for paddlers!
Just look at the list of projects on this page Mattawa Trail Development, these folks are bringing the house down with all types of trails and new projects. Learn how they are getting it done.
First Nation Tourism and Trails, join First Nations leaders as we discuss the joint relationship on the land we share. An emerging force in tourism and trails we should figure out ways to work with all communities so we co-develop trails!
Register today!
IMBA Training for Landowners - June 22-23 Calabogie!
A full and varied program for Trailhead Ontario 2016. Be sure to join us in Renfrew, but book now!!
Rooms are limited and so is the size of the conference. Trailhead Ontario 2016 Symposium Itinerary
| Monday | ||
| 8:30-9:00AM | Registration | Coffee Served |
| 9:00-9:15AM | Welcome remarks | Dignitaries |
| 9:15-10:00AM | Presentation | Renfrew County withAlgonquin to Adirondack Trail |
| 10:00-10:30AM | Presentation | Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization |
| 10:30-10:45AM | Break | Coffee Break |
| 10:45-11:15AM | Presentation | Petawawa - the development of our Regional Trail Association |
| 11:15-11:45AM | Presentation | Ottawa Valley Outdoor Experiences |
| 11:45-12:15PM | Presentation | Parks of the St. Lawrence |
| 12:15-1:30 PM | Lunch | |
| 1:00-1:30PM | Presentation | Ontario Trails Council AGM (Members Only Please) |
| 1:30-2:15PM | Presentation | Updates on the Trails Act and the Ontario Trails Strategy with the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport |
| 2:15-2:45PM | Presentation | Ontario Federation of Agriculture |
| 2:45-3:00PM | Break | |
| 3:15-3:45PM | Presentation | First Nation Tourism and Trails |
| 3:45-4:15PM | Presentation | Trans Canada Trail |
| 4:15-4:45PM | Presentation | Understanding andPreventing Lyme Disease |
| 4:45-5:15PM | Presentation | Sentiers Prescott Russell andGlengarry Trails |
| 5:15-6PM | Networking | Cash Bar |
| 6PM - 9PM | Dinner & Keynote Speaker | TBD |
| Tuesday | ||
| 8:30 – 9:00AM | Registration | Coffee Served |
| 9:00-9:15 AM | Welcome remarks | Dignitaries - Madawaska Valley |
| 9:15-9:45AM | Presentation | Township of Madawaska Valley Trail Developments |
| 10:00-10:30AM | Plenary Session | Principles of Trail Risk Management, with Jeff Jackson |
| 10:30-10:45AM | Coffee Break | |
| 10:45-11:30AM | Plenary Session | Trails Risk Management - How to Say Yes to Trails, with Jeff Jackson |
| Noon-1PM | Lunch | Networking Lunch |
| 1:00-2:00PM | Plenary Session | Water Trails - Developing trails for Use |
| 2:00-2:45PM | Plenary Session | Ottawa River-Keeper - programs and plans for development |
| 2:45-3:00PM | Break | |
| 3:00-3:30PM | Plenary Session | Integrated Trails Tourism Project |
| 3:30-4:00PM | Plenary Session | Mattawa Trail Development |
| 4:00-4:30PM | Plenary Session | Developing Horse Trails |
| 4:30PM | Wrap-up and Next Steps | Trailhead Canada 2017! |
We are going to be talking about the new Adirondack to Algonquin trail Plan with representatives from the Adirondack to Algonquin Organization - Please welcome Emily Conger from the A2A Trail Collaborative.
Work with the Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization as they expend trails in the region and take advantage of trails tourism potential in Eastern Ontario!
Over the last two years Petawawa Economic Development has spearheaded the development of a community trails committee along the lines of the OTC RTC model. Join Kelly Williams from Petawawa as he discusses the development and successes of this initiative in support of trails!
Ottawa Valley Outdoor Experiences! rarely is there so much to do in an area. Ottawa Valley has it all. Trails, amenities and more - join us as we learn about their quality and quantity of trails related destinations and experiences
Over the past 6 years the Parks of the St. Lawrence have revitalized their trail system, offering more and newer kilometers of trails in support of the park's other experiences. Welcome Lou Seiler from Parks of the St. Lawrence as he talks about the development and enactment process!
Since 2012 the Ontario Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport has worked to consult with communities on the Ontario trails strategy and the various new legislation in support of trails - i.e. "The Supporting Ontario trails Act." Come and hear from the government on the progress we are making together to make better communities through trails.
City of Ottawa Cycling and trails - Ottawa has a world class system of trails and cycling routes. Come and here the planning department talk about the fit of planning with trail development!
The National Capital Greenbelt in Ottawa has over 150 kilometres of trails that connect to the Trans Canada Trail, Rideau Trail and Capital Pathway network. Whether you have half an hour for a short hike or plan on spending the day, the Greenbelt has something for you.
Trans Canada Trail works with local partners – trail owner/operators – to plan and support development of trail across Ontario. With a connectivity challenge to be met for 2017 come and hear about how the TCT supports trails, communities and it's completion!
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and it's only right that you protect yourself while out on the trails. Lyme-carrying black-legged ticks can be found across Canada - but the highest concentration of infection is in Eastern Canada - which scientists believe is linked to climate change. Follow these tips to avoid Lyme disease. Come to the conference and hear about the strategies the working group is developing to help the public.
Sentiers Prescott Russell and Glengarry Trails are two trail supporting organizations in eastern Ontario. One is a County Committee the other operates as a "Friends of" model. Learn about both styles of operation and the trails they support!
Township of Madawaska Valley Trail is developing at a fast pace. A regional leader, the Township supports the trail enhancements for both the community and the tourist. Join us to hear about their trail gains.
Principles of Trail Risk Management, and Trails Risk Management - How to Say Yes to Trails, with Jeff Jackson, will provide the latent trail developer, or the trail leader with undeveloped projects or political will to get the trails done, with insight for planners and politicos alike to say yes to trails. We aren't as risky as you think!
Ottawa River-Keeper - programs and plans for development, they were thrilled when we contacted them, because they are a small group protecting a big river and they know you probably also have a river that needs support in order to maintain itself for paddlers!
Just look at the list of projects on this page Mattawa Trail Development, these folks are bringing the house down with all types of trails and new projects. Learn how they are getting it done.
First Nation Tourism and Trails, join First Nations leaders as we discuss the joint relationship on the land we share. An emerging force in tourism and trails we should figure out ways to work with all communities so we co-develop trails!
Register today!
IMBA Training for Landowners - June 22-23 Calabogie!
New Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Appointed.
Liberal politician Eleanor McMahon – founder of Ontario's Share the Road Cycling Coalition – has been appointed as Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. She is co-chair of the Legislative All Party Cycling Caucus and, as Minister for Tourism, has pledged to do more for cycling. “I’m eager to see us map out our own cycling infrastructure network here," she told a local paper.
McMahon founded the Share the Road Cycling Coalition in 2008 to lobby for enhanced penalties for suspended drivers. As a result of her campaign, Greg’s Law was passed in 2009 aiming to reducing the number of suspended drivers and repeat offenders on Ontario’s roads. McMahon became a politician in 2014.
Last Thursday, before being informed of her elevation, McMahon moved an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act to increase penalties for careless driving causing death or bodily harm. Her policeman husband Sgt. Greg Stobbart was killed while on a training ride ten years ago. The killer driver was found to have five previous convictions for driving under suspension but was not jailed for the death he caused.
The new Minister for Tourism said cycling is a growing part of the tourism sector, and a popular transport choice for Ontarians.
The capital of Ontario, a province of Canada, is Toronto which is slowly become more bicycle-friendly. Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was famously anti-cycling.
Region lifts ban on side-by-side cycling
Roads in rural townships now have a mix of rules for bikes riding two-abreast
Cycling
Independent file photo
Waterloo Region will now allow cyclists to bike side-by-side on its roads, but Wilmot and Wellesley townships still have the ban in place for township roads.
New Hamburg Independent
The act of side-by-side cycling on regional roads is no longer prohibited after a decision by Waterloo Regional council — but some township councillors aren’t in favour of the decision.
Regional council decided to remove the clause prohibiting two-abreast cycling in order to better align their bylaw with the Highway Traffic Act, which already allows bike-riders to do so. The decision, made after a June 1 council meeting, went against the wishes of Wellesley Township’s council.
Mayor Joe Nowak, who spoke against the ruling, was worried that the decision wouldn’t be safe, at least not for roads in Wellesley township.
“I asked if they had any plans to identify roads that would be dangerous from our point of view, and they didn’t have one,” he told Wellesley township council on June 7.
The Region of Waterloo has jurisdiction over some major roads, while the townships govern the rest. Roads under the control of Wellesley Township will still enforce the single-file cycling ruling, while regional roads that run through the township will no longer have that restriction.
“Now we have two separate rules, and that will cause confusion,” Mayor Nowak told council. “Lets hope nothing serious happens, because nobody wins in that case.”
Nowak was particularly concerned with cycling clubs, who use the roads for training. They seem to create the biggest volume of cyclists out on the roads, and the mayor told council he was interested in regulating their numbers.
Coun. Herb Neher was equally disappointed at the region’s ruling, saying that of all the people he’s talked to, not one has been in favour of two-abreast cycling.
“People making the decisions live in the city and that’s the unfortunate part for us,” he told council last week. “They have not been on some of these roads out here and I feel sorry for citizens.”
The president of the Waterloo Cycling Club, however, was in favour of dropping local rules that only allow single-file cycling. Alain Francq told regional council on June 1 that removing the bylaw against two-abreast cycling would be better for cyclists and motorists.
He said research shows two-abreast cycling to be safer than single file, as it doesn’t force motorists to pass such a long line of bikes. Francq added that both drivers and cyclists are confused when local rules contradict what is in the Highway Traffic Act.
Wilmot Mayor Les Armstrong said his township hasn’t discussed the issue yet, but the bylaw is coming up for review this year.
As of right now, a township bylaw still requires single-file cycling on Wilmot’s roads, but, like Wellesley, it is no longer prohibited to ride side-by-side on regional roads — provided riders still adhere to the Highway Traffic Act and pull over when they are being passed by vehicles.
“Enforcing this is difficult,” said Armstrong. “It’s important that the province looks at clarifying this, as there are other means of transportation of a similar nature, like longboards and scooters.”
Armstrong said that police only enforce Ontario traffic laws — which doesn’t require single-file cycling — and that it’s not a high priority for the township’s bylaw officers to pull over or ticket cyclists who break the Wilmot-specific rules.
