Our Government
Sustainable Whitehorse
Active Transportation and Transit Ridership

Active Transportation and Transit Ridership

Whitehorse offers a comprehensive public transit network and an extensive system of multi-use pathways designed for walking, cycling, and other sustainable modes of transportation. Whether you’re commuting, exploring, or simply getting around town, there are plenty of options to move around Whitehorse in an environmentally-friendly way.

To ensure safety and convenience for everyone, it’s important for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists to share multi-use pathways, such as roads and trails, respectfully and in accordance with traffic laws.

On this page, you’ll find useful information to help you get active and embrace sustainable transportation options – whether it’s walking, cycling, rolling, using public transit, or carpooling. By choosing these modes, you can contribute to a healthier lifestyle and a cleaner environment.

The Whitehorse Transportation Master Plan aims to create a safe, equitable, and sustainable transportation system that meets the needs of all residents, regardless of age, ability, or income, throughout the year.

Similarly, the Transit Master Plan guides efforts to modernize transit routes, ensuring a reliable and efficient transit service that supports the growing number of active commuters in Whitehorse.

Tools and Resources

Whitehorse has dedicated bike lanes, roads with wide shoulders and multi-use trails along the Yukon River, Two Mile Hill, and Hamilton Boulevard that form the main cycling routes.

The Commuter Cycling Map highlights the routes in Whitehorse that are within approximately 7 km of Downtown, and can be used to plan the best routes. The recommended on-street routes have either wide shoulders or bike-lanes – cyclists should be aware that traffic speeds on the Alaska Highway can be 90 km/hr. There are several off-street routes that are multi-use; always stay on the right of the path and pass other users with caution and respect.

Visit Trails for off-street routes, trail maps, safety and more information.

Visit Roads for on-road maintenance, trail maps and traffic management information.

Visit Transit for route maps, fares and rider safety information.

Visit Bylaw Enforcement to learn about enforcement around sidewalk, snow and ice clearing, bicycle operation, traffic and more.

Safety and Etiquette Rules

As a pedestrian or cyclist, you are vulnerable road users. Protect yourself from the risk of injury. Here are some road and off-road tips:

  • Use open pathways only
  • Pedestrians should use sidewalks whenever possible
  • Cyclists should stay off of sidewalks
  • Always stay on the right of pathways
  • Use and pass on pathways in a safe, controlled, and courteous manner:
    • Cyclists advise pedestrians that they are passing (using a bell or calling out “passing on your left/right”) and yield to pedestrians
    • Pedestrians control their dogs and are aware of, and make room for cyclists
  • Cross at marked intersections such as designated crosswalks or bicycle crossings, and use arterial/collector roads
  • Follow traffic signs and signals
  • Make eye contact with drivers when crossing in front of vehicles
  • Watch for vehicles turning at intersections or entering/exiting driveways and parking lots
  • Cyclists should watch for drivers opening doors from parked vehicles
  • Plan – stay alert and always be aware of your surroundings
  • Be visible by wearing light-coloured clothing with reflective material in the dark and for cyclists, by using front and rear lights in the dark
  • Cyclists wear a helmet
  • Never scare animals
  • Leave no trace
  • Follow the Bicycle Bylaw safety requirements – it’s the law

For more information on vulnerable road user safety, visit the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals.

Access and Comfort

Active Commute Whitehorse

Active Commute Whitehorse is a City of Whitehorse community program with a vision to create lasting changes in commuter travel routines that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve their health and environment. Learn more at activecomutewhitehorse.ca.

Active Transportation Safety Education Campaign

Active Transportation Safety Education Don’t Be That Person Campaign is a City of Whitehorse community initiative to build awareness about the shared responsibilities of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists for safe travel on shared pathways to avoid fatalities or serious injuries. Download posters here.