Our Story

The County Wide Active Transportation System is an ever-expanding network of bicycle lanes, multi-purpose pathways, paved shoulders and shared roadways.

The system will eventually include about 800 km of active transportation corridors linking the County's seven local municipalities and connecting with trail systems in Windsor and Chatham-Kent. Our trails and our programs promote healthy, active living and tourism. Our slogan is: ‘Walk. Ride. County Wide.'

CWATS is part of a bigger, holistic strategy to promote connected communities and active, healthy living. Part of the strategy is focused on building a connected network of corridors and another key part of the strategy is encouraging and inspiring residents to use those corridors, to walk and ride County wide on the way to a healthier lifestyle.

Connect with us!

Email our Active Transportation coordinator!

Find the representative in your local municipality!

Master Plan

County Council adopted the CWATS Master Plan in the autumn of 2012. We are updating the Master Plan this year.

Explore

We've made it easy to find a trail near you! You can also plan your route with our Maps section.

Tourism Windsor Essex County Pelee Island profiles all kinds of exciting destinations and routes!

Current Projects

CWATS projects are identified and funded in partnership with our seven local municipalities. Under the CWATS cost share formula, the county covers 40 per cent of the costs and the respective towns cover the remainder.

Several paved shoulder projects are outlined in the 2020 budget and more projects will be identified when proposals are submitted by local municipalities through the CWATS Steering Committee.

Planned Projects and Highlights

More than 415 km of active transportation corridors have been constructed since the CWATS program was launched in 2012. These corridors include two-way cycle tracks, paved shoulders, multi-use pathways and signed routes.

The goal is to eventually have a connected network spanning some 800 km.