Cycling

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. Listen to The Shore Report to learn about our 2023 cycling programs, bike safety, rules of the road, and being a bicycle-friendly business.

Cycling and Trails Network

Use the interactive map below 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 on the map.

Open the interactive map in a new tab.

Local and Regional Maps and Resources

Local resources

Use the interactive map of cycling trails in Saugeen Shores, or pick up a trails map from the Port Elgin Visitor's Centre or Municipal Office. Other local cycling resources and maps include:

Regional resources

Trail and Road Closures or Detours

Partial Closure along North Shore Trail

A section of the North Shore Trail from Bushwood Drive to Hilly Lane is closed as repair work resumes along the trail. Please avoid the area. This section of the trail is located between Port Elgin and Concession 10. The work is expected to last until mid-to-late December 2023.

The Town is resuming rehabilitation work on the shoreline along North Shore Road, starting the last week of August. This is a continuation of work started in 2022 to fix the trail and protect the road, after several years of high-water levels eroded the shoreline.

For a glimpse of the construction effort, check out this news report,

Active Transportation and Master Plan

Learn more about active transportation and our Transportation Master Plan.

Cycling the Shores

2023 Events and Bike Valets

Upcoming events

Triathlon Training Clinic, Tuesdays, May 30 to to June 27, 6 to 7:15pm
Community Guided Rides, starting June 18 with Martin's Bicycle Shop. Check out the schedule.
Health and Wellness Fair, June 3, 9am to 12pm, stop by our bicycle booth
June is Bike Month, a month filled with activities to celebrate bikes! See our Bike Month calendar.

Self-Guided Kids Cycling Scavenger Hunt, June 1 to 30
Bike to School Week, June 12 to 16
Kids Cycling Photo Contest, June 12 to 16
Kids Bike Night at Fairy Lake, June 13
Bicycle Day at the Port Elgin Farmer's Market, June 21

Bicycle Day at the Port Elgin Farmer's Market, July 19
Lakeshore Women's Triathlon, August 12
Bicycle Day at the Port Elgin Farmer's Market, August 16
Gran Fondo Kids Ride, August 19
Gran Fondo Lake Huron, August 20

Bike valets

Park your bike with us, we'll keep it safe and secured. A bike valet works just like a car valet.

Where to find us?

Fridays, June 30 to September 1, 9am to 2pm, Marine Heritage Market Square
Marine Heritage Festival Weekend

July 21, Bruce County Museum and Archives, 5 to 9pm
July 22, Pioneer Park, 8am to 8pm
July 23, Pioneer Park, 10:30am to 4pm

Interested in running your own?

Email our Cycling Coordinator to talk about how to set-up and run a bike valet. Bike valets are an excellent way to encourage people to travel by bike to your event, especially where parking may be limited.

Bicycle-Friendly Businesses

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.

Learn about welcoming cyclists

The Port Elgin Super 8 is recognized as the 2023 Best Bicycle Friendly Business Award Winner in Bruce Grey Simcoe. Jenn Cortan, the General Manager, joined The Shore Report to talk about being a bicycle friendly business, and the cycle tourists they've welcomed over the years. Hear from Jenn, starting around the 11 minutes and 40 seconds mark.

Listen to the podcast here.

Bicycle-friendly businesses in Saugeen Shores

173 High Street
A Knight in Southampton Bed and Breakfast
Chantry Breezes Bed and Breakfast
Rosewood Cottages and Vacation House on the Saugeen
Sunnyside Cottages
Super 8 Port Elgin
The Maples Cottages in Port Elgin
Armen's Cafe
Boston Pizza Port Elgin
Duffy's Fish and Chips
Highview Food and Drink
Just Like Moms Restaurant
Lord Elgin Fish and Chips
Rabbit Dash
The Garage Sandwich Co. Ltd.
Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre
Chantry Island Lighthouse Boat Tours
MacGregor Point Provincial Park
Martin's Bicycle Shop
Southampton Arts
Southampton Meat Market
Southampton Olive Oil Company and Tasting Room
Smoky Cactus
The Lighthouse Photo Gallery
The Walker House
The Wismer House
Three Sheets Brewing

Bicycle Repairs and Rentals

Bicycle repair stations

There are bicycle repair stations located throughout the trail and cycling network. To view locations on a map, visit www.saugeenshores.ca/bikerepair

River Street Trail Head (741 River St, Port Elgin)
Gobles Grove Main Beach (297 Saugeen Beach Rd, Port Elgin)
Port Elgin Main Beach (100 Green St, Port Elgin)
Memorial Gardens in Southampton (access at Laird Lane/Peel Street or Grosvenor Street South/Adelaide Street)

Orange bicycle repair station overlooking lake

Bicycle repairs

Bicycle repairs are available through Martin's Bicycle Shop.

Bicycle rentals

Bicycle rentals are available through Martin's Bicycle Shop in Southampton and the Paradise Inn in Port Elgin.

CAA bike assist

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.

Learn more about the program.

Bike Month and Cycling Programs

Bike Month 2023

Every June we celebrate Bike Month! Join us for activities and events throughout the month to celebrate, create awareness and educate the community about bikes.

Kids Cycling Scavenger Hunt (self-guided)

Explore Saugeen Shores by Bike from June 1 to 30. Solve clues, collect punches, and discover your community.

Pick up a scavenger hunt card from one of the locations listed below, or email our Cycling Coordinator for a card to print at home.

How to participate

This is a self-guided activity. Use the clues on the back of the cards to find locations throughout Saugeen Shores that have a Kids Cycling Scavenger Hunt sign and a hole punch.

Find a minimum of six locations to complete the scavenger hunt and drop-off your card at the The Plex/Municipal Office (600 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin) by July 4th for a chance to win a prize.

Bonus points! Once you have punched your card at six locations, any further locations that you find will each be worth an extra ballot for the prize draw!

Card pick-up locations

Southampton Library (215 High Street)
Martin's Bicycle Shop (235 High Street, Southampton)
Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre (33 Victoria Street North, Southampton)
The Plex (600 Tomlinson Drive)
Port Elgin Visitor's Centre (559 Goderich Street)
Port Elgin Library (708 Goderich Street)
Port Elgin Super 8 (5129 Highway 21)

Bike to School Week, June 12 to 16

We're encouraging kids to bike to school the week of June 12 to 16, and the Town will be hosting pop-up bike safety booths a different schools each morning of the week. Join us for fun, safety and giveaways.

Stay tuned for added locations and times:

June 13, Northport Elementary School
June 14, Ecole Port Elgin Saugeen Central
June 16, G.C. Huston Public School
June 20, St. Joseph's School

Kids Cycling Photo Contest, June 12 to 16

We know that not everyone is able to ride their bike to school. The Kids Cycling Photo Contest runs alongside Bike to School Week to provide an opportunity for all kids to participate. All participants will be entered for a chance to win a prize!

How to participate:

Snap a photo of your kids riding their bikes; it may be to school, to activities, or for fun and recreation!
Submit the photo online through this link: Kids Cycling Photo Contest - Saugeen Shores.

Thank you for participating! The draw will take place the week of June 19. Staff will contact winners directly.

Kids Bike Night at Fairy Lake, June 13

We've partnered up with Martin's Bicycle Shop to host our annual Kids Bike Night at Fairy Lake. Join us for bike circuits, a kids activity passport to collect stamps (new!), music and a BBQ hosted by the Saugeen Shores Rotary Club.

Tuesday, June 13, 5 to 7pm
Fairy Lake, Southampton (260 High Street)

About the Event

5 to 7pm, bike circuit check-in at the Martin's Bicycle Shop tent, collect stamps at the bicycle activity booths, charity BBQ:
- Button making
- Bicycle safety
- Temporary tattoos
- Crafts
- Finish line
5:45 to 6pm
- Event welcome and instructions
- Kids 6 and under ride the trail with parent/caregiver
6 to 7pm
- Riders divided by age and sent off in groups to ride the trail around the lake
- Participants collect a passport stamp at the finish line

Passports

Collect at least 4 out of 5 stamps for a chance to win a bicycle prize package. Return your completed card to the bicycle safety station. Include your name and phone number; winners will be contacted if not present during the draw.

Bicycle Day at the Port Elgin Farmer's Market

Find us at the Port Elgin Farmer's Market in downtown Port Elgin on Wednesday, June 21. Stop by our bicycle booth for cycling information, giveaways and fun!

Ride your bike to the market, and enter our Bike to Market draw. We love to see people choosing active transportation!

Bike-Friendly Fridays

Follow our weekly Bike-Friendly Friday series; where we focus on everything from bicycle and road safety, to promoting cycling and its benefits, to frequently asked questions and more. Over the next four months, we'll be sharing information every Friday through our social media accounts and website.

Visit our Bike Friendly Friday page every Friday after 10am for the new weekly topic.

Summer Camps

Never Stop Moving Camp, 9 to 11 years

Campers explore Saugeen Shores, travelling by bike, to parks, the beach and places they may have never seen! Campers will be keeping active and having fun while exploring our beautiful town on their bike. Camps are full day programs, the cost is $230 per week. Register online.

Rad Adventures Mountain Bike Camps

Saugeen Shores has partnered with Rad Adventures again this summer to host 2 weeks of mountain bike camp in Port Elgin. Camps are week-long programs, and are based out of Nodwell Park in Port Elgin. Camps will be offered the weeks of July 10-14 and July 17 to 21.

For question or to register, visit the Rad Adventures website.

Guided Community Rides

Join Martin's Bicycle Shop and the Southampton Handlebar Club on weekly group rides. Rides depart from the shop located at 235 High St, Southampton. Meet at the shop 10 minutes prior to the ride to check-in with the Ride Leader and complete waiver. There is no cost to participate. Rides start June 11.

Ride Schedule

Additional rides will be added as available during the summer.

Sunday Morning Ride, 8am departure

The Sunday Morning Ride is a road ride designed for more experienced cyclists who are equipped for, and comfortable riding on paved shoulders and busier rural roads. The pace of the ride is around 22 to 26 km/hr.

Requirements for Participants

Arrive 10 minutes prior to departure
Helmets, bells and lights are required.
16 years and under must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Waiver must be signed by parent or guardian 18+
Participants must follow the rules of the road
Rides will be cancelled in the event of rain and inclement weather

Safety

Request an "I Share the Road" decal

Cycling and Road Signs

Check out these common road and cycling signs and what they mean for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

Cycling and road signs
Type of sign	Description	Sign image
Bicycle route marker	These signs identify routes that are part of Saugeen Shores' active transportation network. Unlike the signs that indicate exclusive cycling lanes, bicycle route signs do not have a regulatory function.
Share the Road	These signs inform motorists and cyclists that a roadway is to be shared and may be placed where a designated bicycling lane or trail comes to an end.
Single file	These signs warn motorists and cyclists that cyclists may use the full lane ahead and that the lane it too narrow for side-by-side operation.
Sharrows	Sharrows remind road users to share the road and offer line-of-travel guidance to cyclists.
Shared use pathway	These signs indicate that a pathway can be used by both cyclists and pedestrians and that the space is to be shared by both users.
Pedestrian and bicycle crossing	These signs indicate to vehicles that a pedestrian and bicycle crossing is ahead.

Theft Prevention and Bike Locking

Registering your bicycle and keeping it locked properly are the best ways to prevent your bike from being stolen.

Register your bicycle

You can register your bicycle with Saugeen Shores Police Services. There is a $5 registration fee. Visit the police station to register your bicycle or call 519-832-2500 for more information

Bicycle locking tips

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.

Use a secure lock, like a u-lock

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.

Park inside overnight or during longer durations of time

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.

Lock bike frame and wheel to secure rack

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.

Choose a bike rack that's secured to the ground

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.

Lock your bike in visible, high-traffic, well-lit areas

Don't forget your accessories. Be sure to take your helmet and easily removed accessories with you.

Don't forget your bike accessories

Trail Etiquette and Code of Conduct

Trails are for non-motorized use only. Mobility devices and e-bikes are permitted.
Pedestrians and mobility devices always have the right of way
Horses are allowed on the Woodland and Biener trails only.
Ride at a safe speed and in control, recommended maximum of 20 kilometres per hour.
Ride on the right, pass on the left.
When stopped, move safely off to one side of the trail.
Warn others you are passing by using your bell or calling out.
Keep dogs leashed and in your care and control.
Clean up after your dog. Pick up, bag and dispose of waste properly.
Show courtesy to all trail users. Share the trail.
Put garbage in its place. Leave no trace.
Stay on the trail. Respect private property and natural vegetation.

Bicycle Bell 101

Using your bell

Ensure your bicycle has a bell, it's the law
Attach your bell to your handlebars for quick and easy access
Ring 1 to 4 times well in advance (10 to 20 metres) to not alarm others
Use it to announce you're approaching a road or trail user and intend to pass on their left
Show respect for all trail and road users by using a bell and passing safely
Remember that wheels always yield to heels. Pedestrians have the right of way, always wait to pass until safe to do so

The importance of a bicycle bell

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:

Alert other trail users that you're approaching
Allow cyclists to safely navigate busy trails
Build respect and trust among trail users

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

These videos offer quick reminders to keep cyclist and motorists safe while sharing the road.

Learn how you can help keep Saugeen Shores safe by respecting all users and obeying the rules of the road.

Bike to School Week
CAA South Central Ontario
Cycling in Ontario, Resources and Information from the Province of Ontario
Elementary Safety, Road Safety for Kids
Ontario Road Safety, Teaching Resources for Youth
Parachute Canada, Safe Cycling for Kids
Share the Road Cycling Coalition
Ontario's Young Cyclist's Guide
Ontario's Guide to Safe Cycling

About becoming bicycle friendly community

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.