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The Town of Saugeen Shores has declared a Significant Weather Event due to observed and forecasted conditions, effective 8:00 a.m. on February 18, 2026, and continuing until further notice.
Saugeen Shores is a bronze designated bicycle friendly community and committed to providing safe trails and routes, promoting active transportation and offering ongoing education and outreach. Expand the sections below for more information about cycling in Saugeen Shores and surrounding communities.
Use our interactive map to view cycling routes and trails including surface type, amenities and bicycle-friendly businesses. As new cycling and trail infrastructure is added to the network it will be updated in the map.
Local and Regional Maps and Resources
Use the interactive map of cycling trails in Saugeen Shores, or pick up a trails map from the municipal office. Other local cycling resources and maps include:
Trail and Road Closures or Detours
For information on closures, check the Closures and Disruptions section of our website.
Benefits of Active Transportation
Choosing active transportation whether cycling, walking, or rolling, has many benefits extending beyond the joy of riding for recreation! There are positive environmental, health, social, and economic benefits from adding more active transportation into your day. Learn more about making active transport part of your healthy lifestyle with Grey Bruce Public Health’s active living website.
Check out the benefits below and make a goal of adding more active transportation trips to your daily travels. The benefits are supported by Share the Road's Bikes Can Do That! campaign and Ontario Active School Travel.
Saugeen Shores is part of the Ontario By Bike Network which certifies tourism businesses and locations as bicycle-friendly, helping businesses reach the growing number of cycle tourists in Ontario including accommodators, food services and attractions. Ontario by Bike is one of the leading resources for cycling-related information and where to find bicycle-friendly places to eat, visit and sleep.
If you operate a business that meets the bicycle-friendly business criteria, you can register for this free promotional opportunity.
There are bicycle repair stations located throughout the trail and cycling network. To view locations on a map, visit www.saugeenshores.ca/bikerepair
Bicycle repairs are available through Martin's Bicycle Shop.
Bicycle rentals are available through Martin's Bicycle Shop in Southampton and the Paradise Inn in Port Elgin.
CAA is more than just motor vehicles! CAA Bike Assist is a roadside assistance for your bicycle that is available to members. If you run into a problem that cannot be fixed on the spot, CAA will transport you and your bicycle to where you need to go. It's available as part of your membership 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Members will not have to pay extra to be eligible for Bike Assist, it is a permanent benefit for members.
Image credit: CAA Important Safety Tips for Drivers and Cyclists
Dooring will cost you. Under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), dooring is defined by a motor vehicle involved in an accident if any door of the motor vehicle that is open or opening comes into contact with a cyclist, a bicycle or a moving vehicle, even if the motor vehicle is stationary, stopped or parked. Dooring a cyclist has a minimum fine of $300 and three (3) demerit points, if convicted, under the HTA. If you practice the Dutch Reach every time you exit a vehicle, you help to create a safer environment for cyclists.
The Dutch Reach is a bike-friendly safety technique that helps drivers and passengers check for cyclists when opening their vehicle door. This method encourages drivers to reach across with their right hand and passengers to reach with their left hand to open the vehicle door. Using your opposite hand creates a body twist motion that leads to drivers and passengers checking their blind spot before exiting. This prevents opening vehicle doors into cyclists or vehicles that are passing by.
If drivers and passengers do not check their blind spot when opening their car door, it can cause serious harm to a cyclist passing by. The act of hitting a cyclist with your door as you open it, is called dooring. The Dutch Reach is a simple action to help reduce cyclist injuries and to be a bike-friendly driver!
The Dutch Reach is as easy as 1-2-3:
Image credit: CAA Important Safety Tips for Drivers and Cyclists
Dooring will cost you. Under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), dooring is defined by a motor vehicle involved in an accident if any door of the motor vehicle that is open or opening comes into contact with a cyclist, a bicycle or a moving vehicle, even if the motor vehicle is stationary, stopped or parked. Dooring a cyclist has a minimum fine of $300 and three (3) demerit points, if convicted, under the HTA. If you practice the Dutch Reach every time you exit a vehicle, you help to create a safer environment for cyclists.
Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are becoming a common mode of transportation in Saugeen Shores, and throughout Ontario. E-bike riders are required by law to follow the same road and trail rules that apply to traditional cyclists, with extra safety precautions in place. Continue reading to learn more about e-bikes and how they compare to traditional bikes.
A power-assisted bicycle (e-bike) is a bicycle with an electric motor. An e-bike is not considered a motor vehicle, however, to maintain this non-motorized designation an e-bike must have:
These are the minimum regulations you must follow when riding an e-bike:
E-bikes are heavier and faster than traditional bikes, meaning that the distance required to stop is longer on an e-bike compared to a traditional bike. Due to these two e-bike properties, it is essential that you brake earlier than you would on a traditional bike. The best way to get used to your brakes is to practice with them before heading out for a ride.
Get to know the brakes on your e-bike:
E-bikes accelerate much faster than traditional bikes. When first riding your e-bike, start on the slower settings and get a feel for the bike before bumping it up to higher speeds. This will allow you to get comfortable with the bike and then increase the speed as desired after.
In Ontario, the maximum legal speed of an e-bike is 32km/h. When going this fast on a bicycle, it is important that you are aware of your surroundings because motorists are not expecting cyclists to move at that speed. Make yourself visible, use your hand signals and be predictable so motorists know what to expect.
The trails in Saugeen Shores have a recommended maximum speed of 20km/h. Be mindful of other trail users and how the speed of your e-bike affects them. Ring your bell well in advance of approaching other trail users and slow down around others.
An e-bike is much heavier than a traditional bike because of the electric motor and larger frame. This can make mounting and dismounting your bicycle more difficult. The e-bike will not be as stable as a traditional bike, and you must be prepared to hold the weight of your e-bike while getting on or off. Using your kickstand as a stabilizer when mounting/dismounting is a good idea. If you have challenges swinging your leg over the frame of the e-bike, buying a step-through e-bike is a good option.
Since 2015, Ontario drivers are required by law to provide at least one metre (1m) of space when passing a cyclist. Regardless of the law, drivers should always pass at a safe time, provide as much space as possible and pass at a slower speed. The law requires that drivers:
The One-Metre Safe Passing Law helps keep cyclists safe, as they do not have the physical protection of a vehicle. Cyclists are vulnerable because of their limited physical protection and as a motorist it is your duty to give them one-metre and help protect them.
Check out these great safety video resources.
Theft Prevention and Bike Locking
Registering your bicycle and keeping it locked properly are the best ways to prevent your bike from being stolen.
Invest in a high-quality, secure bike lock, such as a u-lock. They require more time to defeat compared to chains or cable locks.
Store your bicycle inside or in a locked garage, whenever possible. Avoid locking your bike to the front porch or at the side of the house or garage.
Lock the frame and wheel to a secure bike rack. When locking your bike outside, lock the frame and at least one wheel to secure bike rack such as an o-ring, wave or inverted-u rack. These types of bike parking are available in our downtown cores.
Be aware of what you're locking up to. Avoid using bike racks that are damaged or not properly anchored and avoid locking to objects that can be moved, dismantled or destroyed to free your bike.
Lock your bike in visible, well-lit, high-traffic locations. The more visible your bike is, the less likely is it will be targeted for theft.
Don't forget your accessories. Be sure to take your helmet and easily removed accessories with you.
Trail Etiquette and Code of Conduct
Anyone who rides a bike, including kids needs a bell. Bells are required by law under the Highway Traffic Act which states that "every bicycle shall be equipped with a bell and is sounded to notify others." Bells are cost effective way to improve safety for everyone. They:
Use your bell when cycling on trails or roadways and when approaching pedestrians or cyclists. If you hear a bell as a pedestrian, it means that someone on a bike is approaching and plans to pass. Please move to the right when it is safe to do so.
Bicycle and Road Safety Resources and Videos
Learn how you can help keep Saugeen Shores safe by respecting all users and obeying the rules of the road.
In 2017, the Town of Saugeen Shores worked with Share the Road Cycling Coalition to develop a report and recommendations to become a Bicycle Friendly Community. Community engagement and a local infrastructure tour were part of the report process. In fall 2018, the Town was awarded its designation as a bronze bicycle friendly community.
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600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820
Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0
Phone 519-832-2008 Ext. 131
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