2011 News
October, 2011 
“Be Safe. Be Seen.” Campaign is Launched
The days are getting shorter and nights are getting longer, but people are still out walking and biking. Being visible at night is the best way to prevent accidents. To raise awareness of this important issue, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, along with Active Transportation Thunder Bay and EcoSuperior, kicked off their safety awareness campaign just in time for Halloween. Working with 9 local retailers and organizations, they gave away 750 reflective armbands. The armbands were accompanied by an educational pamphlet with important visibility tips for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. Some armbands are still available at EcoSuperior’s office, so be sure to stop by and pick one up for yourself!
October 13, 2011 
Driver’s Education Material is Distributed
The introduction of bike lanes to the City of Thunder Bay has brought a new component to driving safely that drivers need to be aware of. The best place to start teaching drivers about sharing the road safely and driving with bike lanes is at school! Driving School, that is. Active Transportation Thunder Bay created an educational Power Point presentation that explains how to safely drive with bike lanes. This presentation is the only presentation in Ontario whose content has been approved by the Ministry of Transportation’s Driver Programs Office. Each Driving School in Thunder Bay has received a DVD with the Presentation, 200 bike and shared lane pamphlets, and 200 FAQ pamphlets per driver education centre. Before you choose your driving school, ask if they include this first-rate presentation.
August 20, 2011
Bike and Shared Lanes Painted on Victoria Avenue
Victoria Avenue got a new look today! Road crews were out painting a new set of bike and shared lanes as well as new driving, turning, and parking lanes on this city street. The changes include reducing driving lanes on Victoria Avenue from four lanes to two lanes, one in each direction, and adding a centre turning lane. Lane conversions have been implemented world-wide and have consistently reduced collisions and reduced driving speeds. These changes will make this road a much safer place for both cyclists and motorists.
July 18-22, 2011 
Traffic Counts
For the 3rd year in a row, the City of Thunder Bay recorded the number of pedestrians and cyclists at 23 locations throughout in Thunder Bay. The Ontario Stewardship Rangers returned for 2 days to help out, and 25 residents volunteered with the counts for 2 more days. The trends that are visible over the previous 3 years are beginning to provide instrumental support for the expansion of bike lanes on key transportation routes. We have found a 40% increase in cyclists using bike lanes, and 29% fewer cyclists on sidewalks. These results show that cyclists are growing in number and increasingly obeying the rules of the road.
June 12, 2011 
Bike Rodeo
Back by popular demand, the Bike Rodeo took place at the Lakehead University Fieldhouse. The Bike Rodeo is a fun day of cycling education for kids ages 7-13 and their parents. The event helped youth learn how to fit their helmet properly, maintain their bike, practice safe riding and proper cycling skills. The kids got to test out their new skills on a cycling obstacle course. Six professional cycling instructors were on hand to teach the youth, and 30 volunteers from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU), EcoSuperior, Thunder Bay Police, the Thunder Bay Cycling Club, and the community came out to help with the event!
June 6, 2011
Cyclists Get Attention in a Report to City Council
The City Council meeting held on June 6, 2011 discussed the addition of bike lanes and shared lanes, as well as the ability of E-bikes (Electric-power assisted bicycles) to use bike lanes. City Council approved the new bike lanes and allowing E-bikes to use the City’s bike lanes. Also discussed and approved was the inclusion of No Parking Boxes to increase safety for cyclists at intersections, and directional arrows that will educate cyclists about the correct direction to ride. Thunder Bay is one of the first municipalities in Canada to allow E-bikes on bike lanes.
March 25, 2011
’Safe Cycling Thunder Bay’ Cycling Education Program Officially Launched
Local dignitaries, interested citizens, and representatives from the City of Thunder Bay, EcoSuperior Environmental Programs, and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit gathered at the Lakehead University Hangar to celebrate the launch of Safe Cycling Thunder Bay. EcoSuperior was awarded $115,000.00 over 3-years by the Ontario Trillium Foundation to have local cyclists trained as professional instructors and to run cycling education courses for people of all ages and abilities in the city. The grant will allow the courses to be offered at low cost and will be directed at people interested in commuting or recreational riding. On hand to celebrate this milestone was Bill Mauro (MPP, Thunder Bay, Atikokan), Michael Gravelle (MPP – Thunder Bay – Superior North), Jason Hughes (Ontario Trillium Foundation), John Stephenson (EcoSuperior Board of Directors) and Ken Ranta (Director of Health Promotion, TBDHU).
January 21, 2011
Winterizing Bike Workshop
As year-round cycling in Thunder Bay increases as a means of transportation, there has been a clear demand for a workshop that will prepare cyclists for riding in all weather conditions. . Adam Krupper responded to a request from the Lakehead University Student Union to provide specific tips on how to ride safely and also reduce wear and tear on your bike. Attendees were shown various tips on bicycle maintenance, safe riding techniques, and how to dress appropriately.
Page last updated on Wednesday, February 01, 2012
