I am a motorcycle rider, and I am one among many who have experienced the danger that tar strip repairs on our roads present. In Ontario, Canada, this form of repair on roadways assigns considerable risks to us, the motorcyclists, who form a critical part of the transportation sector.

Tar strip repairs pose substantial threats to motorcyclists as they are prone to causing accidents by lowering traction, especially during warm weather when tar becomes soft and sticky. Furthermore, they can lead to a loss of control during turns and upon sudden braking, thereby contributing to an increase in motorcycle accidents in our province. This issue personally affected me and various fellow riders who have lost control due to this hazard.

It has been repeatedly reported that these tar strips become extraordinarily slippery when wet, amplifying the danger for motorcyclists even further. While no official statistics can identify accidents exclusively caused by tar strips, there is an abundance of anecdotal evidence within the motorcycling community.

Given the growing motorcyclist population in Ontario—more than 220,000 registered motorcyclists as per Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation—it is crucial that our safety concerns are addressed. We are urging the provincial government to prohibit the use of tar strip repairs and to explore safer methods for road repair to ensure the safety of all road users, especially motorcyclists. Now, I call on you, fellow Ontarians and proponents of road safety, to rally behind our cause and keep our riders safe from hazards. Please sign this petition.