Cycling Nova Scotia is partnering with the Village of Pugwash to improve walking, rolling, and cycling connections!

About the Project

Cycling Nova Scotia works alongside communities to develop grassroots Active Transportation (AT) plans that reflect local needs, priorities, and visions for the future. Our approach is rooted in collaboration, ensuring that residents, stakeholders, and municipal leaders are active participants in shaping a more connected, accessible, and sustainable community. Through meaningful engagement, we help communities identify opportunities to enhance their walking and cycling networks, improve safety, and create vibrant public spaces that encourage active travel for people of all ages and abilities. The result is a locally informed strategy that not only strengthens transportation options but also deepens community ties—making active mobility a natural, enjoyable, and essential part of everyday life.

The Core AT Networks Project has four goals:

Develop an active transportation network plan that will contribute to a more equitable, healthy, and sustainable future for residents of the community.
Engage residents to ensure that the network adds value to the community and improves transportation options.
Connect the Blue Route into the community to provide easy access to local businesses and attractions for cycling tourists.
Provide communities with a plan that can leverage financial support from Provincial and Federal funds to build the community’s vision for safe active transportation.

What’s coming up? Share your communities vision!

Project Timeline

Phase 1: Vision and Network Planning (March – May 2025)

• Community Engagement Begins
• Stakeholder Workshops
• Network/Route Engagement
• Deliverable: “What We Heard” Report & Draft Network Plan.

Phase 2: Conceptual Design
(June – July 2025)

• Develop (Concept) Designs
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Deliverable: What We Heard” Report and Design Drawings.

Phase 3: Advanced Design & Costing
(September 2025 – March 2026)

• Functional Designs
• Consultant Engineering & Traffic Studies
• Finalization of Cost Estimates
• Deliverable: Final Design & Costing 

Phase 4: Implementation Community led
(October 2026 – Ongoing)

• Grant Applications & Funding Strategy 
• Municipal & Provincial Approvals 
• Construction
• Monitoring & Oversight

Core At Network Project

Reports

• Phase 1 – “What We Heard
• Phase 1 –  Draft Network Report
• Phase 2 – “What We Heard”
• Phase 2 – Interim Report
• Phase 3 – Final Network Report

What is the Core AT Network Project?

The Core AT Networks Project aims to link residents to the places they want to go by walking, rolling, or cycling, and connect the provincial Blue Route cycling network to community centres across the province. By working with the community, plans are created for a network of safe cycling infrastructure that allows locals and visitors to travel to the places they most want to visit by bike. We are focusing efforts in communities linked to the Blue Route to advance Nova Scotia’s provincial cycling network.

What is Active Transportation?

Active transportation is an umbrella term for any form of human-powered or non-motorized travel. This includes walking, cycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, and seasonal activities like skiing, canoeing, and kayaking. It also includes micro-mobility devices – such as e bikes, e scooters, and electric mobility aids – when they complement human-powered travel. Active transportation can be used both for practical trips (commuting, running errands) and for recreation (fitness, leisure, and reconnecting with the environment).

Communities benefit in numerous ways when more people choose active transportation: it can boost local businesses by increasing foot traffic, attracting visitors who seek out accessible and engaging places to explore, and reducing carbon emissions. It also supports mental and physical well-being, helping to create healthier, more vibrant communities overall.