A historic new chapter has begun in the Detroit-Windsor region. For the first time, people can walk or ride a bicycle directly between Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, across a dedicated international bridge pathway.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge officially opened to vehicle traffic on July 27, 2026. Just over a week later, on August 5, 2026, the bridge’s toll-free multi-use path officially opened to pedestrians and cyclists. This landmark opening creates a new way for residents, visitors, cyclists, and tourists to cross the Detroit River without getting into a vehicle.
A New Way to Cross the Detroit River
For decades, pedestrians and bicyclists could not simply walk or ride across the Detroit-Windsor border. The Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel primarily serve motorized traffic, leaving non-motorized travelers with very limited options for making the international journey.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge changes that.
The bridge features a dedicated 2.5-kilometer (approximately 1.5-mile) multi-use path that is approximately 11.8 feet wide. The path accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists and operates completely separate from vehicle traffic. It is also toll-free, meaning there is no fee for someone walking or riding a bicycle across.
The pathway was designed with user safety in mind. Features include concrete barriers separating users from vehicle traffic, security fencing, lighting, security cameras, and emergency call stations. Separate pedestrian and cyclist border-processing facilities are located at both the Canadian and U.S. Ports of Entry.
For cyclists and pedestrians, this is more than simply another way to cross the river—it connects into existing trail systems on both sides of the border. On the Windsor side, it connects with regional trail infrastructure, including the Trans Canada Trail. On the Detroit side, it connects with the Iron Belle Trail and the Great Lakes Way.
When Can You Walk or Bike Across?
One important distinction is that while the vehicle portion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the pedestrian and bicycle pathway operates on its own set schedule.
The current multi-use path schedule is:
April 1 through October 31: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
November 1 through March 31: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
There is also an important practical rule: access to the pathway ends one hour before closing so that people already on the path have enough time to complete their crossing and undergo border processing. Anyone planning to cross should avoid arriving at the pathway entrance close to the posted closing time.
These operating hours are critical when planning a round trip. A pedestrian can expect the bridge portion of the journey to take approximately 45 minutes, while a bicycle crossing takes approximately 20 minutes, not including time spent at customs and immigration.
What Documents Do You Need?
Walking or biking across the Gordie Howe International Bridge is still an international border crossing. Using a bicycle or walking does not eliminate the requirement to present yourself to Canadian and U.S. border officials.
For U.S. citizens traveling into Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) recommends traveling with a valid U.S. passport. CBSA also recognizes certain other documents for establishing identity and citizenship, including.
- U.S. Passport Cards
- NEXUS Cards
- U.S. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL)
For Michigan residents, an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) is particularly useful for land-border travel. However, it is important to distinguish an Enhanced Driver’s License from a standard Michigan driver’s license, as a standard driver’s license by itself is not an approved border-crossing document.
A NEXUS card can also be used by eligible travelers. However, travelers should still make sure they understand the applicable NEXUS requirements and follow instructions from border officers.
If you are a U.S. permanent resident, Canadian citizen, dual citizen, or a citizen of another country, document requirements may differ. Permanent residents should carry proof of status (such as a Green Card), and foreign nationals may need a passport and additional visas or documentation depending on their nationality.
The safest rule: bring your passport
Although alternative documents may be accepted under specific circumstances, carrying a valid passport remains the best practice for international travel. It eliminates ambiguity and provides border officers with a universally recognized document.
Remember that you are entering another country. Border officers have full authority to question you regarding your citizenship, identity, destination, length of stay, purpose of travel, and any goods you are bringing across.
Do You Have to Pay a Toll?
No. The multi-use pathway is entirely toll-free for pedestrians and cyclists. This is one of the most significant features of the new crossing, as it allows individuals to travel between Detroit and Windsor without paying the vehicle tolls assessed to cars and trucks.
A Historic Piece of Infrastructure
This pathway opening marks a historic milestone. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is the first new international crossing between Ontario and Michigan in more than 60 years.
Its towers stand approximately 720 feet tall, and its main span is the longest cable-stayed bridge span in North America. The project also includes some of the largest Ports of Entry along the entire Canada–U.S. border. In total, more than 15,800 workers contributed over 20.1 million hours of labor to complete the project.
For residents of Detroit and Windsor, however, the most meaningful takeaway is simple: you can now walk or bike across the river.
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