August 13, 2026 - (Windsor, ON) More than 100 cyclists from across Canada and the United States helped launch Canada’s newest binational cycling destination this week, as the 2026 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA) rolled through Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island — and, for the first time, across the Gordie Howe International Bridge into Detroit.

The destination was officially launched Tuesday morning with a ribbon-cutting in Windsor attended by Marlaine Koehler of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust; MP Windsor West Harb Gil, Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie; Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens; Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald; Gordon Orr, CEO Tourism Windsor Essex & Invest WindsorEssex, Meghan Reddick of Trans Canada Trail; Heather Grondin of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority; and other Canadian and American partners and community leaders. More than 100 GWTA cyclists joined the celebration before setting out to experience the new international connection.

The launch marks four years of cross‑border collaboration to connect and promote cycling experiences in Windsor‑Essex and southeast Michigan, creating new opportunities for residents and visitors to explore two countries and their shared Great Lakes waterfront by bike.

At the centre of the network is the Gordie Howe International Bridge, whose multi‑use path establishes the first signed international crossing of both the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and the Trans Canada Trail.

“This is much more than a new route across a bridge. It is the realization of a vision we have been working toward with our Canadian and American partners since 2022,” said Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust. “By connecting extraordinary trails, waterfronts and communities on both sides of the Detroit River, we are giving people an entirely new way to experience and appreciate this region — slowly, actively and up close.”

The binational initiative brings together the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Trans Canada Trail, Southeast Michigan Community Foundation and Michigan Department of Natural Resources, alongside municipalities, tourism organizations, trail partners and the Windsor‑Detroit Bridge Authority.

“The City of Windsor has proudly worked alongside the Waterfront Regeneration Trust since the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail was extended into Windsor in 2011. In recent years, we have continued that work with partners across the region to expand cycling opportunities and help position Windsor-Essex as a leading destination for cycle tourism. Through significant investments in cycling infrastructure, wayfinding and visitor experiences, we are creating stronger connections across our region, encouraging active transportation and giving residents and visitors more opportunities to experience Windsor’s waterfront, neighbourhoods, parks and trail network. This year, we are proud to welcome more than 100 cycle tourists with the 2026 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure, to experience our community firsthand, while supporting local businesses, tourism and Windsor-Essex’s growing reputation as an exceptional destination for cyclists,” commented Mayor Drew Dilkens, City of Windsor.

On the Canadian side, the project builds on the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail’s expansion to Lake Erie in 2012 and significant investments made since then by municipalities and conservation authorities in their waterfronts, trails and active transportation networks. The initiative has brought those assets together into more than 500 kilometres of signed cycling experiences, including nine scenic itineraries, three binational gateways, over 1,000 wayfinding signs, new digital and print resources, and more than 125 Ontario By Bike certified businesses.

”The binational cycle tourism experience provides riders with the opportunity to have a seamless path to connect districts, communities, attractions, waterfronts, culture, culinary, and natural areas on both sides of the border. The multi-use path positions Windsor Essex as one of North America’s most unique cross-border cycling destinations. Being able to tell the stories which resonate with our “DNA of place” through sensory and immersive experiences help to form extended and repeat visitations to our Two Nation Destination. Through partnerships on both sides of the border, we look forward to continuing to build on future prospects in connectivity, active transportation, outdoor adventures, health and well-being. Our cycle tourism map is a great tool in planning out extensive itineraries through various route suggestions while showcasing 125+ bike-friendly certified businesses along the way,” said Gordon Orr, CEO Tourism Windsor Essex & Invest WindsorEssex.

As part of the initiative, Trans Canada Trail has also added the first international border crossing to its nationwide network and expanded its network through Leamington and onto Pelee Island, extending the national 30,000-kilometre trail to Canada’s southernmost inhabited point.

“Connecting communities has always been at the heart of the Trans Canada Trail,” said Meghan Reddick, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer with Trans Canada Trail. “This partnership is the perfect illustration of how trails can connect communities and inspire unity. By creating more opportunities for people to engage with landscapes, destinations, and people on both sides of the border, we are forging powerful connections while boosting local economies.”

Across the Detroit River, cyclists can connect to an impressive and growing network of trails, greenways, waterfront parks and public spaces. Major investments in the Detroit RiverWalk, Joe Louis Greenway, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park, Southwest Greenway and other destinations are transforming how residents and visitors experience Detroit and its waterfront.

“Detroit takes great pride in having its waterfront named the No. 1 riverwalk in the United States by USA Today in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Indeed, the Detroit Riverwalk was inspired by Windsor’s riverwalk that started in the 1960s. Our two border cities have deep regional commitments to reconnecting people with the Great Lakes through greenway trails. We are honored to be collaborating with our Canadian trail partners to create world‑class cross‑border trail tourism experiences – made possible by the multi-use path on the new Gordie Howe International Bridge – throughout the Windsor–Detroit metropolitan area that celebrate our shared Great Lakes, history, and pride in being border cities,” commented John Hartig, Co-chair of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan’s Great Lakes Way Advisory Committee

Five days showcasing connected waterfront communities
From August 10–14, Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA) participants will explore Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island, highlighting waterfronts, natural areas, cultural attractions and key cycling infrastructure. On Tuesday, riders will make a binational crossing into Detroit to experience the city’s expanding trail network before returning to Canada.

Other GWTA highlights include the Herb Gray Parkway Trail, Chrysler Canada Greenway, the County-Wide Acive Transportation System (CWATS), Point Pelee National Park, Essex County communities and beaches, and a cycling excursion to Pelee Island.

“The GWTA has always been about showing what becomes possible when communities connect their waterfronts and trails,” said Koehler. “For more than 30 years, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust has worked with communities to turn local waterfront investments into a connected Great Lakes experience. This year, we get to demonstrate that idea on an international scale.”

The new binational cycling destination builds on years of investment by communities, the County of Essex, the Essex Region Conservation Authority and trail organizations on both sides of the border. Together, these connections offer a rare opportunity to experience two countries, two cities and dozens of waterfront communities as one Great Lakes cycling destination.

About the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure
The Great Waterfront Trail Adventure is an annual supported, multi‑day cycling tour organized by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust to showcase the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and celebrate the communities that support it. The 2026 GWTA takes place August 10–14 in Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island, with a binational cycling experience in Detroit. Click to see the GWTA 2026 Itinerary.

About the Waterfront Regeneration Trust
The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to protecting, connecting and celebrating the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River waterfront. It is the founder and steward of the 3,600 km Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and a proud part of the Trans Canada Trail network. The Trail is made possible through a partnership spanning 177 communities and First Nations, along with national and provincial parks, conservation authorities and other waterfront partners. www.waterfronttrail.org