Cycling in Waterloo Region

[danbrotherston]

Wilson is a key connector for Hidden Valley unless doing that weird route through parking lots you suggested (I happen to think parking lots are terrible for safety, fwiw.) and it is not even remotely a safe cycling route. I believe there is an ambition to build some sort of cycling connection along there, due to its importance, but afaik that's been on the docket for a number of years now with no progress.

There is a MUT along Wilson up to Goodrich Dr. I think, but not over the tracks. I know there is interest in making the connection from Goodrich to Traynor but I think it's going to be a challenge.

But no, I was referring to is the weird route through parking lots. 

Parking lots feel unsafe, that doesn't make them unsafe. Generally drivers are moving very slowly, rarely does anyone exceed 30km/h. There is a lot going on, so collisions are probably more likely, but the low speeds means that collisions are still unlikely and very unlikely to be significant. And also because visibility on a bike is so much better than visibility in a car, I suspect cyclists are even safer in a parking lot than .... well, let's say bumpers and fenders.

I don't think it's possible to understate the effect of speed on safety.