Bike Friendly Transit Stop Opens

THUNDER BAY – LIVING – Thunder Bay Transit is increasingly bike friendly. From bike racks on the front of buses to now the new transit friendly bus stops, the service is working toward making it easier for cyclists to get around Thunder Bay.

EcoSuperior and Thunder Bay Transit officially celebrated the opening of Thunder Bay’s first cyclist-friendly Transit Hub, located at 562 Red River Rd, in front the EcoSuperior office today.

The Hub is the result of a new partnership between EcoSuperior and Thunder Bay Transit, and consists of a large, fully-covered and accessible Transit shelter that has two covered areas – one specifically for Transit passengers with a bench and lighting, the other, for cyclists who want to lock up their bikes or pump air into their tires.

“We wanted to improve the transit and cycling friendliness of our site so we approached Transit and were really pleased that it fit with their plans,” said Ellen Mortfield, Executive Director of EcoSuperior.

“When we started talking with EcoSuperior, we immediately saw the potential for a great opportunity site so we collaborated on the modified shelter design that you see here,” said Jon Hendel, Planning and Marketing Analyst – Transit Services.

In addition to the new shelter, a bench, bike tire pump, and bike racks have been included in the design. The shelter is also equipped with solar-powered LED lights to make it safer and more welcoming for evening users.

“This is part of a wider initiative across the City to upgrade our Transit infrastructure,” Hendel said. “We have upgraded 18 bus stops this year. This Transit Hub is bit of a teaser – a possibility of what Transit Hubs could look like in the future.”

The enhanced Transit Hub is part of a larger EcoSuperior site design and landscaping plan. With funds from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, they have been able to make considerable progress in realizing their vision.

“Supporting alternative forms of Transportation is essential to building a healthier, stronger, and more environmentally-friendly community,” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines. “This new integrated hub will inspire people to use different modes of transportation and will certainly benefit all residents of Thunder Bay.”

EcoSuperior received a site improvement grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario. Contributions to the Transit component came from the Canadian Infrastructure Improvement Fund, the Tbaytel Dividend Fund, and Thunder Bay Transit’s Shelter Improvement Fund. The City of Thunder Bay’s Clean, Green, and Beautiful Committee funded the bike racks.

“This Transit hub is one example of how community groups can make it easier to bus, bike and walk,” Mortfield said. “Interconnecting our modes of transportation so they fit together seamlessly is an essential part of a greener, healthier community.”