THUNDER BAY – As the days get longer and temperatures continue to rise, many in the region are ready to get back into their summer hobbies and interests including motorcycling.
May is motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and in honour of that, the Northwestern Ontario Motorcycle Safety Training Organization hosted an event on Saturday featuring all things motorcycle related, particularly, safety.
Organizer Greg Stein said that he believes it’s important to have an event like this because of Northwestern Ontario’s typically fairly long winters.
“People don't see motorcycles out on the road for several months and they forget about them. Motorcyclists are vulnerable road users and we just want people to be aware that they are out there on the road,” he said.
“Also, motorcyclists need to remember that they are small and they're vulnerable. They need to be watching out for everyone. You essentially need to drive like you're invisible and we want all road users, whether they're pedestrians, cyclists, driving a car, an 18-wheeler, or whatever the case is, to watch for motorcycles.”
Attendees were able to meet with number of local dealerships, riding clubs, and members of several racing disciplines.
Paul Pepe, manager of Tourism Thunder Bay was also at the event, promoting Ride Lake Superior, a Motorcycle Tour through Ontario, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. He said motorcycle tourism is worth about 25 million dollars a year to Northern Ontario's economy.
“About $16 million of that is just the north shore of Lake Superior- Thunder Bay. Each year Thunder Bay welcomes thousands of motorcycle riders from around the world who are touring the lake, which is the world's largest freshwater lake or they're going across Canada,” he said.
“Here in the city, motorcyclists, motorcycle visitors spend about $3.5 to $4 million a year in our local economy on accommodations on food, on repairs at local shops.”
The organizers hope that they can make May Day in the Bay an annual event, to bring more awareness to motorcycle safety.
For those unable to attend, more information on motorcycle safety can be found online.
