THUNDER BAY – As the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week kicks off under the banner “Make Walking and Cycling Safe,” the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging governments at all levels to take bold steps toward making active mobility not just accessible—but safe.
With nearly 1.2 million lives lost annually on roads, and more than a quarter of those deaths involving pedestrians or cyclists, the WHO’s message is clear: if cities want healthier people and safer streets, they must invest in protected infrastructure and supportive policies.
A Toolkit for Change
To help governments and communities respond, the WHO has launched a new Active Mobility Toolkit, offering evidence-based guidance for city planners, transportation officials, and public health advocates. The toolkit calls for:
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Dedicated sidewalks, crossings, and protected cycling lanes
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Safe speed limits aligned with global best practices
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Public awareness campaigns to encourage safer road use
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Policy integration across transport, health, and education sectors
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Financial incentives for active transportation users
Why It Matters for Thunder Bay
While global trends are troubling—with pedestrian deaths up 42% in South-East Asia, and cyclist deaths rising 88% in the Western Pacific Region—the urgency hits home in cities like Thunder Bay, where active transportation remains underdeveloped and road safety continues to be a concern.
In Thunder Bay bicycles and motorcycles have their riders often feeling invisible to motorists in cars and trucks. As the bike lanes are slowly opening in the city, often cyclists find that cars are using the laneways, especially in the downtown Waterfront District as extra room for parking.
Increasingly as well, cyclists are out year round, and the City of Thunder Bay does not keep the bike lanes open, as design issues with snow removal were never factored into the creation of the transportation to include cyclists.
Additionally while the city has installed lighted crosswalks in many parts of the city, many times it seems motorists don’t pay all that much attention to the lights.
Local advocates have long pushed for safer cycling infrastructure and walkable neighbourhoods, particularly as the city tries to shift toward sustainability and wellness goals. Yet many areas still lack basic features like continuous sidewalks, protected bike lanes, or traffic-calming measures.
With WHO’s guidance now available, municipalities like Thunder Bay have a fresh opportunity to align with global best practices and deliver on public calls for safer, more livable streets.
Health, Climate, and Equity on the Line
“Walking and cycling improve health and make cities more sustainable,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “But we must make walking and cycling safe, so more people choose these healthier, greener options.”
Beyond road safety, the WHO is also sounding the alarm on the interconnected benefits of active mobility—from reducing air pollution and chronic diseases to closing urban equity gaps and tackling climate change.
“This is paramount not just for road safety, but for health, equity and the environment,” said Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department for the Social Determinants of Health.
A Global Campaign for Safer Streets
To mark Global Road Safety Week, WHO is joining forces with over 400 NGOs in 100 countries to demand urgent action. The message? Safe walking and cycling isn’t a luxury—it’s a human right and a public necessity.
For Thunder Bay and cities across Canada, that means prioritizing investments in smart, inclusive transportation systems—not only for today, but for the generations that will walk and ride tomorrow.
