Regional Niagara Bicycling Map, Second Edition

The Regional Niagara Bicycling Map (second edition) was released in February 2006. It provides comprehensive recreational, tourism, and commuter information for cyclists on roads and trails in the Canadian region of Niagara adjacent to the United States border. The development of the map was achieved through joint contributions of regional government staff in the GIS, Planning, and Public Works departments; the Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee; and input from Freewheelers, a local bicycle touring club.

A major technical accomplishment of this map is the GIS integration. Cycling-specific data (road conditions, bike lanes, etc.) is tied to the region’s Single Line Road Network (SLRN) and combined with other regional GIS layers to produce the final cartographic output. Ground truthing of cycling data was undertaken by the bicycling community. GIS integration greatly facilitates future updates and enables widespread use of the information (e.g., through interactive Web mapping).

Highlights of the map include an accurate and comprehensive road basemap of the Niagara region, outlining the relative suitability of all roads for cycling including hill locations; inset maps to assist bicyclists in navigating through larger urban areas; a broad base of local recreation and bicycle-related information (parks, bicycle operators, wineries, and other attractions); and detailed information on Niagara’s famous multiuse trail systems and parkways such as the Greater Niagara Circle Route.

Courtesy of the Regional Municipality of Niagara, copyright 2007.