Pedal Through the Past

Exploring Sarnia's History by Bike

Pedal Through the Past was created as a unique way for residents to explore Sarnia’s history, neighbourhoods, and cycling infrastructure at the same time.

Developed in partnership with the Sarnia Historical Society, the tours invited participants to experience local history through storytelling, historic photos, and educational signage placed along the route.

Each ride combined relaxed group cycling with local storytelling, creating an experience that helped participants see familiar places in a new way while connecting with the stories that shaped the city.

Summer 2025 Guided Tours

In the summer of 2025, nuSarnia hosted three guided Pedal Through the Past tours through Sarnia.

These small-group rides brought community members together to explore historic locations by bike while learning about the people, places, and moments that shaped the city.

The tours followed a carefully planned route through Sarnia, stopping at key locations connected to important moments in the city’s history. At each stop, participants heard stories curated by the Sarnia Historical Society and viewed historical photos from the County of Lambton Archives, helping bring Sarnia’s past to life in the very places where those stories happened.

All three tours filled quickly, demonstrating strong interest from residents who wanted to experience Sarnia’s history in a new and interactive way.

Highlights from the Tours

The guided tours quickly gained interest from the community.

Project Highlights

Three guided Pedal Through the Past tours hosted
Historical stops across the city highlighting key landmarks
Storytelling and research provided by the Sarnia Historical Society
Historic photos and archival materials from the County of Lambton Archives
Community members exploring the city together by bike

All three tours filled quickly, demonstrating strong community interest in exploring Sarnia’s history and neighbourhoods in new ways.

Now Available as a Self-Guided Tour

While the guided rides were a highlight of the project, the experience does not end there.

We are excited to share that Pedal Through the Past is now available as a self-guided tour, allowing residents and visitors to explore the route at their own pace.

The self-guided version includes:

A map of the cycling route
Historical stories connected to each stop
Archival photos and background information
Audio recordings from the tour

This allows the project to continue connecting people with Sarnia’s history while encouraging more residents to experience the city by bike.

Why This Project Matters

Pedal Through the Past demonstrates how history, cycling, and community connection can come together.

By combining storytelling with active transportation, the project helped residents:

Discover local history in a more interactive way
Experience neighbourhoods and landmarks by bike
Build a stronger connection to the places that shape our city

It also highlights how cycling infrastructure can support cultural experiences and help residents engage more deeply with their community.