News roundup: August 9, 2026

By Tri-Cities Transport Action Group

Here's the latest in Waterloo Region walking, biking, and transit news from the last week.

What's happening

• MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: Elections for city, township, region, and school boards will be on October 26. Changing voter information can be done through the province before August 12, and school support can be changed before September 1.
  • If you are in a district without a competitive election, it's not too late to throw your hat in the ring: prospective candidates have until August 21 to file their nominations.
  • Otherwise, consider supporting with your time or money candidates who you would like to see represent you!
• CAMBRIDGE E-SCOOTERS: The City of Cambridge will host pop-up information sessions with by-law officers in Bismark Park on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss concerns around e-scooters and e-bikes. (Cambridge Today)
• KITCHENER COMMITTEES: The City of Kitchener is seeking volunteers for 2-year terms on advisory committees, including Active Transportation and Trails. Applications are open until August 19.
• WATERLOO TREES: The City of Waterloo is seeking feedback on its Draft Urban Forest Management Strategy. The survey is extended until September 13.
• BUILDING CODE: Ontario is looking for feedback on updating its building code, with comments open until August 14. (via Gil Meslin)

Walking, biking, and streets

• The Record: Township residents calling for sweeping road safety measures with death tolls in rural areas.
• The preferred design for the reconstruction of Myers Road in Cambridge is up for approval this week. The design includes conversion to an urban cross section and new multi-use paths on both sides with continuous/raised crossings across side streets. (Region of Waterloo Agenda, EngageWR)

Transit

• GRT's mid-year status update includes a ridership drop of 9.6% due to international student reductions. Other notable items include a 7% increase in MobilityPLUS trips, a partnership with local company RideCo for managing specialized trips, and continued progress on transit priority measures. Priority signals and queue jumps at nine locations are being installed this fall, and the next phase will focus on the Fischer-Hallman corridor in 2027/2028. (Region of Waterloo Agenda, CKWR)
• The Ontario government finally approved the Region of Waterloo's request to fund expanded township transit, a key element of GRT's 2025 Business Plan. The province will invest $3.4M through the Ontario Transit Investment Fund. (Ontario Newsroom, CBC)
• Regional Councillor Colleen James is bringing a motion to this week's Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development Committee asking for a report on filling in gaps in the transit network. (Region of Waterloo Agenda)
• GRT to begin construction on new Doon Station this month. The terminal near Conestoga College will include new shelters with on-demand heating, bike parking, passenger info screens, and a trail connection. It will not include public washrooms. (Grand River Transit)
• CBC: Ontario PCs launch review of public agencies amid spending controversy. Agencies under review for spending include Metrolinx, LCBO, Legal Aid Ontario

The shape of our cities

• A Regional report provides an update on work being done to address the Mannheim water capacity constraints. (Region of Waterloo Agenda)
• Cambridge Today: Developers appeal to tribunal over city's refusal of Northwest Hespeler proposal. Council refused the proposal in May based on a staff recommendation that called the plan to build thousands of homes premature without a complete secondary plan in place
• The Record: 'Nowhere to go': RV owners face uncertainty after MTO clears Cambridge carpool lot.
• The Record: 'Affront to democracy': Nothing stopping mayors from being appointed regional chair.

Elsewhere

• Interim bus service is being expanded in advance of completion of a regional transit study by five counties north of Waterloo Region. (Grey County, Via Sean Marshall)
• Streetsblog: Report: Building More Homes Reduces Overall Driving.
• CTV: Ottawa police cracking down on underage operation and misuse of e-scooters
• NYC issues cease-and-desist notices to retailers selling high-power e-bikes and e-scooters (NYC Mayor's Office)
• Streetsblog: State lawmakers aim at illegal e-motos, but hit e-bikes instead. A deceptive and widespread marketing tactic has tricked families into purchasing dangerous e-motos and fooled lawmakers into pushing laws that would make streets even less safe.
• The Talking Headways podcast discusses why American buses cost so much, highlighting issues similar to those in Canada. (Streetsblog)