Warmer weather brings cyclists back to Thunder Bay roads — drivers need to give them room

THUNDER BAY — With warmer weather returning, more cyclists are back on Thunder Bay streets, and motorists need to adjust their driving habits accordingly.

While Thunder Bay has a growing network of bike lanes. Some of those lanes are covered in gravel and debris after a winters worth of road clearing. That the bike lanes should be cleared to has yet to make it into Thunder Bay’s Green planning is a discussion for another day.

Spring is also pothole season, and this year’s road conditions are especially rough.

That means cyclists may move farther from the curb, shift position within a lane or slow suddenly to avoid potholes, broken pavement, gravel, puddles and debris. Those movements are not cyclists “getting in the way.” In many cases, they are necessary for safety.

Ontario law requires drivers to give cyclists at least one metre

Under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, drivers passing a cyclist must leave at least one metre of space, where practicable, and maintain that distance until they have safely passed. The Ministry of Transportation also reminds drivers to leave space, check blind spots and be careful when turning near cyclists.

That one-metre rule matters on narrow Thunder Bay streets, especially where potholes, parked cars or road work push cyclists farther into the lane. If there is not enough room to pass safely, drivers should slow down and wait. A few seconds of patience can prevent a serious injury.

Cyclists are allowed to use the road

In Ontario, bicycles are treated as vehicles under the rules of the road. Cyclists must obey traffic signals, stop signs and right-of-way rules, and they are expected to ride in the same direction as traffic. Ontario’s safe cycling guide says slower traffic should generally keep right, but cyclists may move away from the curb to avoid hazards such as sewer grates, debris, potholes or parked vehicles.

That is important this spring.

For cyclists, a pothole that a car can roll over may be a crash hazard. A deep hole can buckle a wheel, throw a rider into traffic or force a sudden evasive move.

Thunder Bay’s pothole season adds risk for cyclists

The City says it maintains more than 2,200 lane kilometres of roadway and is prioritizing high-traffic areas and locations where conditions pose safety concerns. Crews are using temporary cold-patch asphalt until hot-mix asphalt can be applied when local plants reopen for the season.

Residents can report potholes online through the city’s pothole reporting system or by calling the 24-hour dispatch line at 807-625-2195. The city says busy streets are prioritized because high-traffic roads often have more potholes due to the weight and volume of vehicles.

Drivers should expect cyclists to avoid the worst pavement, especially near curbs, gutters, puddles and parked vehicles.

Rules cyclists must follow in Ontario

Cyclists must obey stop signs, traffic lights and other road rules. They should signal turns and stops, ride predictably, travel in the same direction as traffic and use proper lights and reflectors when riding after dark.

Ontario’s cycling rules require cyclists under 18 to wear an approved bicycle helmet, and parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring children under 16 wear one. The Ministry of Transportation’s cycling guide also says bicycles must have required safety equipment, including proper lighting and a bell or horn.

In Thunder Bay, local traffic bylaw material says cyclists are not permitted to ride bicycles on sidewalks, unless a specific path or facility allows cycling. That means adult cyclists are often where the law expects them to be: on the road.

Drivers should watch for cyclists at intersections and driveways

Intersections are among the highest-risk areas for cyclists. Drivers turning right should check mirrors and blind spots before moving toward the curb. Drivers turning left should watch for oncoming cyclists, who may be less visible than larger vehicles.

Motorists should also check before opening vehicle doors into traffic. “Dooring” can force a cyclist into the path of vehicles or cause a serious crash. Cyclists, for their part, are advised to ride at least one metre from parked vehicles when possible to avoid suddenly opened doors.

Sharing the road is a spring safety issue

For motorists, the message is simple: slow down, give cyclists room, do not crowd them at the curb, and wait to pass until it is safe.

For cyclists, the message is also clear: ride predictably, use lights, signal, obey traffic controls, wear a helmet, and make gradual movements around potholes and debris whenever possible.

Thunder Bay’s streets are in rough shape this spring, and everyone using them is dealing with the same thaw-damaged roads. A cyclist avoiding a pothole is not being careless — they may be avoiding a crash. The safest response from drivers is patience, space and awareness.