DETROIT, MI — Bicyclists and pedestrians will soon have a new way to cross the U.S.-Canada border when the Gordie Howe International Bridge pathway opens Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 8 a.m.

The bridge is already open to motor vehicles. The pathway’s debut is generating excitement among cycling groups and residents on both sides of the Detroit River who have long anticipated a direct, nonmotorized connection between Detroit and Windsor.

Travel on the pathway will be toll-free. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is expected to publish official policies before opening day, including hours of operation and rules governing permitted uses, such as electric bicycles.

The Detroit Greenways Coalition has created an online resource with currently available information, including possible parking locations. The nonprofit has also published a Ride with GPS route for Detroit cyclists and links to routes on the Windsor side.

Opening-day riders should be prepared for crowds and possible delays. Although the Detroit Greenways Coalition is not organizing its own ride, it is supporting three rides planned throughout the day by the Gordie Howe International Bike Club.

The Sandwich Town Business Improvement Association will host a welcoming event for participants arriving from the United States.

The pathway represents years of advocacy by the Detroit Greenways Coalition and its partners. According to the organization, its initial proposal to include a bicycle and pedestrian path on the bridge received a “hard no.” Advocates continued pressing for the crossing until it became part of the project.

The coalition had also worked with the bridge authority on plans for an Open Streets-style bicycle and walking event before the bridge opened. That event did not receive approval, but organizers say a special pathway event could take place in the coming months.

NEW INTERNATIONAL ROUTE MAP LAUNCHED

To coincide with the pathway opening, the Detroit Greenways Coalition has launched an interactive bike and trail map covering Southeast Michigan and Southwest Ontario.

The online tool is designed to help bicyclists and pedestrians plan cross-border trips while exploring hundreds of miles of greenways, trails and on-street bicycle routes throughout the Detroit-Windsor region. It also displays ferry routes, parks, bike-share locations, repair stations and popular destinations.

The coalition said it moved away from printed maps because of rising production expenses and frequent changes to the region’s bicycle infrastructure. The digital map automatically updates every 24 hours using information from open-data portals.

Free bicycle stickers featuring a QR code linked directly to the map are available at participating local bike shops and the Michigan Welcome Center in Detroit.

Funding for the map was provided through the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Benefits Plan.

Because no toll will be charged to use the pathway, the coalition is encouraging riders to consider supporting either the Detroit Greenways Coalition or the Windsor Bike Kitchen with a donation.

GREEN TASK FORCE TOURS PLANNED

The Detroit Greenways Coalition will also host a free sustainability event Friday, Aug. 21, beginning at Newlab, 2050 15th St. in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood.

Coffee and refreshments will be served at 9:30 a.m., followed at 10 a.m. by a walking tour highlighting Newlab’s mobility work involving bicycles, robots, drones and electric vehicles.

An approximately eight-mile casual bicycle tour of Corktown will begin at 11 a.m. Stops are expected to include an art alley, resiliency hub and urban farm.

Participants must provide their own bicycles. A MoGo bike-share station is available at Newlab.