The City of Sarnia offers residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy a variety of pathways and trails throughout the community. Whether you’re on foot, riding a bike, or walking your dog follow trail etiquette and be courteous of other users to ensure everyone, including yourself has a safe, enjoyable time. If you are using an e-bike, be sure it meets Provincially-defined requirements. You can report maintenance concerns on City-owned trails via our Online Contact Form.

Trail Network

The Howard Watson Trail is a former rail line that runs 16 km from Confederation Road in Sarnia to Camlachie. This multi-use trail ties in with a larger network of City-owned trails that includes:

  • London Road and Confederation Road multi-use paths
  • Midtown trail
  • Canatara Park Trails
  • Centennial Park Trails
  • Suncor Energy Foundation Nature Way (connected to the Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area)
  • Nick Malik Walkway

For trail maps visit the Bluewater Trails website.

Trail etiquette

Trail courtesy, respect and safety are everyone’s responsibility.

Share the trail by:

  • Keeping right when travelling, and passing with care on the left
  • Travel at a safe speed
  • Cyclists yield to pedestrians
  • Pass with care, only on the left
  • Use a bell/verbal signal to pass
  • Leash your pets, clean up after them
  • Respect natural surroundings, wildlife
  • Stay courteous, alert and on the trail
  • Be aware of your surroundings
  • Use caution at all crossings
  • Please, no littering

Passing safely on a bike or e-bike

When passing another trail user remember to be seen, be safe and be courteous.

To pass:

  1. Use hand signals to indicate where you are going (right, left, etc.)
  2. Ring your bell or use a verbal signal; let others know you are approaching
  3. Yield to pedestrians; always give right of way to those on foot
  4. Only Pass on the left; stick to the right side of the trail, and when safe to do so, pass with care on the left-hand side of the trail.

Littering

Littering on trails is prohibited; if you pack it in, pack it out. Please ensure any trash is placed in a garbage receptacle, or, if none is available that you take it with you. All visitors on the trails are responsible for carrying out all their trash and garbage including – pet feces, waste wrappers, or other items.

E-Bike requirements

E-Bikes are allowed on trails, provided they meet certain requirements.

Permitted devices must meet the Province’s definition of e-bikes, specifically a power-assisted bicycle with an electric motor that has:

  • working pedals
  • two or three wheels
  • an electric motor, not exceeding 500 watts
  • a maximum assisted speed of 32 km/h
  • a maximum weight of 120 kg (includes the weight of the bike and battery)
  • minimum wheel width of 35 mm and minimum diameter of 350 mm
  • two independent braking systems

Removing pedals make the e-bike a motor vehicle, which requires a licence, insurance, and registration to operate. It is also illegal to modify your e-bike’s electric motor to make it powerful or to increase the assisted speed of the bike.