Norfolk considers changes to Friday 13th road closures

Toz and Deb from Jarvis are regular Friday the 13th participants, including December 2024, and will be back to Port Dover in June.

Luke Edwards

Advocate Correspondent

Proposed changes to traffic rules and road closures for this June’s Friday the 13th event have been approved in principle by Norfolk County councillors.

However, they want to take another look at things in an effort to get bike parking back on Main Street for the popular event.

Mayor Amy Martin put forward an amendment to the recommendation that saw councillors give a general approval but also ensure they’ll have another chance to look at things when it comes back in bylaw form. This will allow planning members and emergency response staff a chance to consider options.

Proposed changes that staff brought forward included three areas where traffic would be restricted to only allow bikes, emergency service and municipal vehicles. The three areas include St. George Street, from Dover Avenue to Walker Street, Walker Street from the dead end to St. Andrew Street, and St. Andrew from Main to Clinton streets.

“These proposed changes are considered to limit the number of passenger and other vehicles that are traveling through the core of Port Dover, which is going to allow safer passage for motorcycles,” said Fire Chief Gord Stilwell.

However, Martin had other concerns.

“For me the bigger concern over the last few years has been vehicular traffic through the roads, through the main drag, through Walker Street,” she said. 

“And it’s alarming to see the increased volume of cars driving through what is intended for motorcycles only, yet our focus remains on where the bikes can and cannot park on Main Street, despite the fact they can park everywhere else.”

Martin said she was leaning towards allowing bike parking on half of Main Street, and moving the vendor zone elsewhere.

Stilwell pointed to three main concerns: an inability to get ambulances to the area if needed, difficulty manouevring fire trucks in case of a fire, and opening up the area to having unauthorized vehicles coming in and potentially hurting someone.

“So we’re trying to balance all of those together to create an enjoyable experience and keep people safe at the same time,” he said.

With the next Friday the 13th event coming in June as summer kicks off, staff expect it to be a busy event. The event can often see upwards of 100,000 people, most bikers or motorcycle enthusiasts.