Improve infrastructure to keep Thunder Bay pedestrians safe, says advocate

Superior Morning6:20Pedestrian Safety

Is Thunder Bay a safe city for pedestrians? And how can we make it safer? Joanna Carastathis chairs the city's Walkability Committee

The chair of the walkability committee in Thunder Bay, Ont. says there's lots of work to be done to make the city a safer place for people travelling around town by foot.

It's beendisheartening to hear of a number of serious collisions between pedestrians and vehicles in Thunder Bay this fall and winter, said Joanna Carastathis, who is also the health promotion planner with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

When it comes to keeping pedestrians safe, good city design is critical,said Carastathis, and there's a lot the city could do to help prevent injuries.

"It's not just about being visible while you're walking. It's about improving the environment that you're walking in. It doesn't matter how visible you are if the street you're walking on isn't safe," she said.

Thunder Bay is not measuring up to other Ontario cities when it comes to creating a good walking environment, she added.

When the city tried to apply for a walk-friendly designation early this year, Carastathis said the city wasn't able to earn one.

"They do ... a bronze, silver, gold designation level," she said. "And Thunder Bay did not even get a bronze. So that kind of speaks to what's going on here, I think."

More "pedestrian scale lighting," which is located at a lower level than regular street lamps, and better illuminates people walking on trails and sidewalks, would be one way to improve, she said.Better crosswalks and lower speed limits would also help.

The walkabilitycommitteehas been advocating for the city to invest in changes, said Carastathis, and city council is committed to making improvements.

She noted that pedestrians should also stay safe by crossing at marked intersections, wearing reflective material, avoiding distractions such as cell phones and bringing personal idetificationwhen out on the roads.