Editorial: Bike lanes arrive in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay has joined a growing number of cities worldwide this week adding dedicated bike lanes to Court Street.

And a welcome addition they are.

But with the change, which started on Court Street, comes responsibility.

Drivers must recognize the right of cyclists to use the bike lanes, and expect that they’ll be out there in force winter, spring, summer and fall.

Get in the habit of making an extra shoulder check when pulling over to park or making a right-hand turn. Also remember that from May 1 to Nov. 14, parking isn’t allowed in bike lanes.

Cyclists must also realize they bear as much responsibility as motorists and must respect their right to be on the road.

Cyclists also must obey the rules of the road, including proper use of hand signals.

Drivers cannot be expected to know what a bike rider’s next move will be, and the consequences of not giving notice could be deadly.

The addition of bike lanes also means it’s time for cyclists to get off the sidewalks.

Sidewalks are in place for pedestrians, and it’s actually against the law for cyclists to be on them while riding – just as it’s illegal for them to ignore stop signs and traffic lights, an all-too-frequent occurence in Thunder Bay.

Bike lanes should improve safety on both sides.