Recycle Thunder Bay

I found myself stuck in traffic last week and while I was waiting for events to unfold I had one of those brief moments of clarity you hear about every now and then.

The power was out and the lights at the Harbour Expressway and Golf Links Road were flashing red.  Vehicles were backed up in all four directions and the turning lanes were jammed

I was surprised by what happened next.  I was prepared for mass confusion and a lengthy delay but then, one-by-one each vehicle took its turn and carefully negotiated the four way stop.  It was a joy to behold.  I was on my way again in a minute or so.

It suddenly dawned on me how ingenious and cooperative we can be when there is a problem to solve and we are motivated to work together.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we used that same approach to meet community challenges with good ideas and creative solutions?  We’re facing one of those important challenges right here in Thunder Bay.

Now that the snow is gone and those confusing yellow lines are visible again on city streets, local residents are shrugging their collective shoulders and asking the question, “What’s the deal with those bike lanes?”

They are also asking, along with city hall and the local constabulary, what’s the deal with all those people riding bicycles on the sidewalk.  Motorists are hitting them at crosswalks all around the city and claim that cyclists have no business crossing the streets there – you know, at crosswalks. 

Thunder Bay Police don’t really have the time or personnel to clear the sidewalks but they are threatening to hit cyclists with a $125 fine.

So far they haven’t said what they’ll do to motorists who run over bicycles riders or pedestrians.   Personally, I’m wondering what chased the cyclists from the streets to the sidewalks in the first place. 

I’ve heard from a number of drivers about their unsettling experiences with some of the newly-painted lanes on some roadways, especially Victoria Avenue. 

I’ve driven that road myself and I have to admit it’s like following one of those detours set up by Wile E. Coyote for the Roadrunner.  Some of the others may be better.

Still, any effort to encourage cycling, walking or any other form of active transportation in this city should be encouraged and ¬sup¬por¬ted. There are many people in Thunder Bay and across the country who know how to accomplish this effectively.  It requires vision and long-term planning.

About a year ago I was part of an enthusiastic group attending a community breakfast to discuss this very subject.  The mayor was there along with a smattering of councillors.  The keynote speaker was Gil Penelosa, an international expert on walkable communities and sustainable transportation. He knows all about cities just like Thunder Bay.

Mr. Penelosa’s presentation was very compelling and he was quite clear and specific about the benefits of active transportation to a community.  He showed many examples of success stories from around the world and described exactly what had to be done. He also dispelled some myths and issued some cautions.

He cautioned us about proceeding without broad public support and acceptance. This will result in a piecemeal approach and half measures that make the situation worse and create hard feelings.  Using fines and by-laws to enforce unpopular policies is equally counter-productive.

On the subject of bike lanes he clearly stated that there must be a physical barrier between traffic, bicycles and pedestrians. If this is not possible he suggested putting bike lanes on the sidewalk side of parked cars to protect cyclists from traffic.  He also warned that simply painting lines on roads does not work. It creates confusion, resistance and hostility.

Boy, that Gil Penelosa really knows what he’s talking about.  Maybe we should have him back for a refresher and this time everybody can take notes.

Those who heard him speak will remember that an active transportation strategy is a long-term investment in the community involving partnerships, attitude adjustments and adequate funding. 

He also listed benefits to the local economy, the environment and the health and welfare of citizens of all ages.

This idea is too good to abandon.  It’s time to recapture the initial enthusiasm from that meeting last April and combine it with the courtesy and good sense I witnessed at the corner of the Harbour Expressway and Golf Links Road. 

Thunder Bay has what it takes to recycle.