As tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts gear up for Norfolk County’s legendary Friday the 13th rally in Port Dover, council is meeting to consider recommendations that put public safety front and centre—especially when it comes to motorcycle parking on Main Street.
With warm-weather events drawing over 100,000 visitors to the lakeside town of just 8,000 residents, Norfolk County and emergency services staff are tasked with a massive operation to keep both residents and visitors safe. Despite the rally being an informal, non-organized event, it requires nearly a year of planning and a significant deployment of municipal and emergency services.
Council is discussing a staff report today that strongly advises against reintroducing motorcycle parking on both sides of Main Street from Nelson Street to Walker Street. While some have suggested this setup could provide a buffer between pedestrians and moving traffic, emergency planners say it actually creates more risk than benefit.
The report details multiple concerns, including crowd confinement, response delays for emergency crews, and the increased legal liability for Norfolk County in the event of injury. In the September 2024 rally, a test section of Main Street was opened to motorcycle parking—and paramedics experienced delays of up to 26 minutes trying to navigate through thick pedestrian traffic. According to the report, a two-minute response was significantly delayed, despite emergency vehicles using lights and sirens.
The staff recommendation, backed by Ontario Provincial Police, concludes that allowing motorcycles to drive into and park in the downtown core not only increases the risk of injury but also makes rapid evacuations nearly impossible in an emergency. Furthermore, it references modern threats, such as the potential weaponization of vehicles in crowded areas, as an unacceptable risk.
Bike parking on Main Street was officially removed in 2019, and staff say the change has not reduced the popularity of the event—highlighting that the 2024 gathering was among the busiest post-COVID rallies to date.
Council is not expected to approve motorcycle parking through crowd zones, and staff will continue monitoring and reviewing a smaller section of Main Street between Nelson and Chapman during the June 2025 rally. Findings will be brought back to council later this year.
In the end, the county is prioritizing the protection of life and the safety of first responders over tradition—emphasizing that even a non-organized event like Friday the 13th requires critical oversight.
OPP Inspector Andy Tait is set to give a presentation to council on the matter today (Wednesday).