Second bike fatality this year prompts calls for review

Enlarge Image

A cyclist navigates traffic on Portage Avenue. Cyclists say drivers often squeeze them out of traffic. Police say drivers and cyclists both need to be aware they share the road. (WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ) Photo Store

Drivers 'cut you off on purpose'

Jason Marshall has been in his share of bike-car collisions as a bike courier. He's been hit five times in the last 10 years and sports his latest wound on his left knee, where a car sideswiped him last week.

"Drivers in Winnipeg are definitely worse than in other cities," he said, having been a bike courier in Regina and Calgary as well. "Drivers are really rude and disrespectful to cyclists. They don't pay attention. They'll cut you off on purpose."

Marshall said bike paths, such as the one in front of his Assiniboine Avenue apartment, help make cycling safer, but he said more respect and attention needs to be paid to cyclists.

"It could happen to anyone. It could happen to me," he said about Wednesday's crash.

Marshall has broken his collar bone, arm and wrist from his many bike-car collisions.

He said signalling is important to stay out of harm's way and also anticipating what's going to happen long before it does.

"I look five car lengths ahead of me to see what's going on," he said.

Cyclists sound off on safety

How safe do you feel as a cyclist in Winnipeg? We put the question to Twitter readers. Here's a sample of their replies:

alysonshane: Safer than I used to, but motorists are still really aggressive toward cyclists, especially outside downtown.

littlesrule: My hubby was hit by car while biking on Pembina. Received multiple broken bones.

palmerfritschy: As a commuter cyclist I've been struck by five cars but I've never felt unsafe. Eye contact with drivers is paramount.

mykaelsopher: Much safer cycling downtown now versus five years ago. Drivers respect bike lanes way more than feckless "share the road" signs.

samuelevan: Depends where. Wolseley is a cycling culture, so it's more expected, ergo safer. Portage Avenue can be an absolute nightmare.

CBoho: On designated bike paths or lanes, I feel safe. On routes like Pembina, Marion, Osborne, not too safe.

jsadowski2001: I do my best to take off road trails as much as possible. Cycling on the road is stressful and not enjoyable.

HammieMB: I cycled down Portage once and it scared the crap out of me.

The death of a 68-year-old man has sparked calls for a review of all cycling fatalities to improve road safety.

On Wednesday, a cyclist and car collided near York Avenue and Main Street. The cyclist was taken to hospital in critical condition and later died. Police said early indications show the man was not wearing a helmet.

He's the second cyclist killed on city streets this year. Thirty-five-year-old Violet Nelson was killed on May 23 when she collided with a vehicle and fell into the path of a semi-trailer at Main Street and Higgins Avenue.

Since 2009, seven cyclists have died on Winnipeg roads.

Bike to the Future co-chairman Tom McMahon said Ontario's chief coroner recently reviewed all cycling deaths and issued recommendations to improve public safety. He said a similar review in Manitoba could identify what caused the accidents, and whether things such as extending the paved shoulder or adding separated bike lanes could prevent injuries and deaths.

"I think it is useful and timely and important for the appropriate authority -- whoever that may be -- to examine what is happening. Not just fatalities but also serious injuries," McMahon said.

On average, two cyclists were killed every year from 2005 to 2010 in Manitoba. Another 220 were hurt, Manitoba Public Insurance said.

At the same time, more Winnipeggers are travelling by bike. Recent statistics compiled by Bike to the Future estimate there are close to 13,000 people travelling by bike in and out of downtown on a given day -- about 47 per cent more people than in 2011.

Winnipeg police central traffic unit Staff Sgt. Rob Riffel said the number of fatal collisions involving cyclists has remained steady in the past few years. He said motorists and cyclists need to be aware they both have to share the road since anyone on a bike is likely to be seriously hurt during a collision.

"It's just people being careless at inopportune times," Riffel said. "When you pit a cyclist against a vehicle, the vehicle is going to win."

City of Winnipeg officials said in a statement they wait for police to complete an investigation to see if any traffic-related factors contributed to a fatal collision. If so, city officials will follow up to see what improvements can be made.

For example, the city changed the pedestrian corridor at Osborne Street at Wardlaw Avenue following a number of collisions.

MPI spokesman Brian Smiley said the public insurer has partnered with local cycling groups to educate cyclists on how to make themselves visible to vehicles, the importance of helmet use and existing traffic laws. Smiley said MPI will host workshops to train cyclists on how to avoid road hazards.

He said motorists have to be patient and not squeeze by cyclists. In turn, he said cyclists have to know how to keep themselves safe.

"We know in many situations some cyclists may not be that road savvy or anticipate a potentially dangerous situation," Smiley said.

Earlier this year, the province introduced legislation that requires children under 18 to wear helmets. Adults are still exempt, but some avid cyclists such as Winnipeg Cycling Club member Henry Shorr believes that should change since head injuries can be "catastrophic."

The group plans rides within Winnipeg and outside the city, and mandates that everyone on the rides wear a helmet, Shorr said. He said some bike lanes end suddenly and much of their rides end up being on city streets since the path system is not well-developed.

"I think the city needs to do a better job of building bike paths and room for dedicated lanes for cyclists," Shorr said.

McMahon said motorists need to be better educated about what to do when they encounter a cyclist on the road or see special markings for bike lanes. He said many drivers still squeeze by cyclists instead of changing lanes, and other jurisdictions have stipulated vehicles need to give cyclists at least one metre of space when passing.

"I think we all need (safety) reminders," McMahon said. "The cyclist has a right to be on the road and feel safe."

jen.skerritt@freepress.mb.ca

Deadly cyclist collisions in Winnipeg, 2009 - 2012

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 31, 2012 A3