ENVS 274: Power to the Pedal | Environment

New to spring 2025

A cycling field course that explores cycling infrastructure and issues throughout Kitchener-Waterloo. Learn first-hand about the critical role that cycling plays in fostering sustainable, healthy, transportation and leisure choices around our region.

Course description

This field course provides an experiential learning environment for students to explore and evaluate the roles that cycling can play within the urban and rural environments of Kitchener-Waterloo. Students will have structured first-hand experiences with a variety of types of cycling infrastructure throughout the Region of Waterloo. Students investigate key cycling issues with support from local cycling stakeholders. Flexibility in assessments make this course suitable for all students in the Faculty of Environment who have an interest in cycling, healthy lifestyles, and sustainable transportation. This course contributes to the Faculty of Environment themes of sustainability and future cities, allowing students to experience examples of each of these themes in action, within their home city.

Over 13 weeks you'll go on eight trips

You'll be cycling 15-25km per trip

Each trip will be three (3) hours

Course requirements

Please note that this course has enrolment requirements. The best candidate for the course must:

be a Faculty of Environment student in 2A term or higher,
own a suitable bicycle, helmet, and basic tools,
be financially responsible for bike maintenance and repairs during course,
be able to participate in eight, off-campus, three-hour cycling sessions over thirteen weeks with distances of 15-25km each,
complete all steps of the enrolment process and wait for instructor consent.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make sure my bicycle is suitable for the course?

Students are required to conduct a bicycle safety assessment at King Street Cycle (no charge for safety check) prior to the first trip. Any repairs required for your bike to be deemed safe will be your responsibility to complete before participating in the course.

Can I ride an E-bike?

E-bikes are permitted, as long as they are pedal-assisted only (no throttle). E-scooters are not permitted. If you use an adaptive bicycle or hand cycle, please contact the instructor to discuss.

How far will we ride each class?

The total distance per class will depend on the overall class composition, but an expected range will be between 15-25km. All rides will start and end at the same location and students will ride in a group the entire time. We will stop at points of interest, and all participants will have full route maps and itineraries to review before the ride.

Where is the course being offered?

This field course will be offered at Waterloo's main campus. It will involve travel by bicycle to various sites of cycling interest within the Region of Waterloo, using existing road and cycling infrastructure. Students will be out riding approximately 8 out of the 13 weeks of term (weather permitting), with on-campus classroom presentations and activities during the other weeks.

What happens if it rains?

All scheduled trips are weather permitting. If the forecast calls for lightning, thunder, heavy or constant rain, we will meet indoors in the scheduled classroom. If there is a low chance of rain, we will conduct the ride.

What happens if I get a flat tire while riding?

The course instructor will ensure that there are adequate tools and replacement tubes available to fix most types of mechanical issues.

Peter Johnson in a forest with a helmet on.

Meet the instructor

Dr. Peter Johnson

Associate Professor
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
EV1-236
peter.johnson@uwaterloo.ca

Interested in this course? Here's your next steps:

Ensure you meet all course requirements.
Prior to course selection, attend the Teams webinar in January (date and time to be declared). This will give the instructor a chance to answer your questions and discuss the course structure more specifically.
Select ENVS 274 during the course selection period, January 27, 2025 - February 4, 2025.
Wait for an invitation from the instructor to fill out the ENVS 274 Interest Form shortly after course selection.

In the meantime, if you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the instructor, Dr. Peter Johnson.