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 and safety

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

Always stay aware of your surroundings, ensure you listen for approaching cyclists and riders.

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.