Active transportation means using your own body to get from one place to another, like walking, biking, or scootering. It’s not only good for your physical health, but it also has great mental health benefits. Regular exercise, like walking or biking, can reduce stress and improve mood and happiness. It gives you time to clear your mind and enjoy the outdoors, which can help boost your focus and creativity. Active transportation also helps reduce pollution, making the air cleaner, and can save you money on gas. Overall, it’s a fun, healthy way to get around while taking care of your body and mind!
Learn More: City of Thunder Bay's Active Transportation
Active School Travel
Active School Travel promotes physical health by increasing daily activity. It also boosts mental well-being by reducing stress and increasing focus, making students more prepared for the school day. By reducing the number of cars on the road, active travel lowers air pollution and traffic congestion around schools. Additionally, it fosters social connections and independence, as students often travel with friends or family. Overall, active school travel is an eco-friendly, cost-effective way to improve health and create safer, more connected communities.
Thunder Bay District Health Unit promotes active school travel through a program called Walk or Wheel Thunder Bay (Wow TBay). It is a partnership with Lakehead Public School Board, Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, Student Transportation Services of Thunder Bay, Ecosuperior, and the City of Thunder Bay. Wow TBay encourages families to choose active transportation for the trip to and from school by providing education and initiatives in our community.
Learn More:
- Ontario Active School Travel
- Student Transportation Services of Thunder Bay
- Ecosuperior
- City of Thunder Bay’s Active Transportation Programs
Active Commute Challenge
The TBay On The Move Active Commute Challenge is a friendly workplace challenge that encourages city and district-wide residents to switch their ride and rethink how they can actively commute to and from work during the month of June.
Learn more:
Cycling
TBDHU encourages cycling as an active alternative to driving. Our role is also to help make cycling in the city safer. We do that by providing information for cyclists and motorists, and by helping create new policies around bike lanes and dedicated paths.
Cyclists Code of Conduct
Cyclists have a right to be on the road along with motor vehicles. However, they also must follow the same traffic laws as motor vehicles and ride in a responsible and predictable manner. The TBDHU encourages all cyclists to practice cycling etiquette, use common sense and follow the rules of the road. Awareness and consideration for others helps keep our roads safe for all.
Safety
- Wear a well-fitted, CSA-approved helmet whenever you ride.
- Be seen – wear bright, reflective clothing. It is mandatory to use a white front light and a rear red rear light or reflector when cycling between 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunrise.
- Ensure bicycles and related equipment are well maintained.
- Carry some form of identification whenever you ride.
- Follow the rules of the road as is expected of motorists. Stop at stop signs and lights.
- Know the accepted hand signals and use them.
- Be predictable. Look ahead of where you are riding, anticipating road hazards that you will need to avoid. Try to ride far enough out from the curb to maintain a straight line and avoid the debris, potholes or storm grates (approximately 1 meter).
- Ride with traffic. Stay off the sidewalk, which is meant for pedestrians and very young riders.
- Ride single file. It is illegal to ride side-by-side unless passing another cyclist.
- Make eye contact with motorists whenever possible. This reminds the motorist that you are a human being with a right to be there, and reduces the risk of accidents.
Motorist Etiquette
Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicles on the road. Though bicycles may be considered to be a slow moving vehicle, special care must be taken when driving near them because any collision could result in serious injury. Cyclists are not out there just to get in your way! They are commuting and travelling, just like you are. Here is what motorists can do to avoid an incident with a cyclist:
- Give the cyclist the room they need. Effective September 1, 2015, all motorists in Ontario must allow at least one metre between your car and the cyclist. Though cyclists normally ride near the right-hand edge of the roadway, they can legally move left to turn left, to pass another bicycle or car, or to avoid hazards in the roadway.
- Wait to pass if the lane is too narrow to pass the bike safely.
- After parking at the curb, be sure to look for oncoming vehicles, including bicycles and motorcycles, before opening your door on the traffic side. “Dooring” is not only very dangerous and can result in serious injury for a cyclist, but will cost you a hefty fine and 3 demerit points.
- Make eye contact. This creates a connection between you and reduces the chance of confusion and an accident.
Bike Lanes
Thunder Bay has installed bike lanes around the city to improve safety for cyclists and to help motorists be aware of where cyclists may be traveling.
A bike lane is a 1.5 meter-wide striped, signed lane marked with a large white bicycle. This lane is restricted to cyclists only. Cars and other motor vehicles are not allowed to travel in this lane and motorists are subject to a fine for driving in this lane, whether or not cyclists are present. Pedestrians, rollerbladers, skateboarders and strollers are also not allowed to travel in bike lanes.
Cyclists - Try to stay in the middle of the lane when traveling. When cycling past parked cars, be aware of opening doors. Cyclists must obey all traffic laws while traveling in bike lanes. When a bike lane ends, continue riding in a safe and predictable manner.
Motorists - Avoid bike lanes at all times, whether or not cyclists are present. When turning right, do not enter the bike lane. Instead, signal your intention, turn around the bike lane as if it were a curb and do a shoulder check for cyclists before you make your turn.
Shared Lanes
Shared lanes are similar to bike lanes except that both cyclists and motorists can travel in these lanes. They remind motorists that cyclists may be riding on that road, and that they must slow down when approaching a cyclist and pass with care.
Learn More:
For More Information on Active Transportation
Call the Physical Activity Program: (807) 625-5900 or toll-free 1-888-294-6630