The fifth bicycle accident fatality so far this year in Toronto has sparked outrage and concern among city officials and bicycle safety advocates, who note that many bicycle accidents can be prevented and should not happen in the first place.
"It shouldn't take somebody dying for it to be a real wake-up call that we need to ensure that our bikers are safe," Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, said in an interview with the St. Albert Gazette. Longfield added that Toronto's bicycle accident death toll for this year so far "points to a crisis."
Fifth bicycle accident fatality this year in Toronto sparks concerns
The recent bicycle accident fatality in Toronto occurred on July 25, 2024, near 150 Bloor Avenue West, according to a CBC News story about the deadly accident. The 24-year-old female cyclist was riding in the street at about 8:40 a.m. when she was fatally struck by a dump truck.
The cyclist was riding in a bike lane but had to exit because a construction bin had been placed illegally in the bike lane on Bloor Avenue West. Some city officials—including Coun. Dianne Saxe, who represents Ward 11, University-Rosedale—have called for criminal charges to be issued against the construction company that illegally placed the construction bin in the bicycle lane.
The death is a "terrible, completely avoidable tragedy," Saxe said in an interview with CBC News.
How common are Toronto bicycle accidents?
The recent bicycle accident fatality was the fifth one so far this year in Toronto, according to CBC News. This year's bicycle accident death toll so far is turning out to be the deadliest year for cyclists in Toronto since at least 2020, CBC News reported.
To put such numbers in perspective, according to accident data collected by Toronto police and posted on the Toronto Police Service Public Safety Data Portal, there was one bicycle accident fatality in Toronto in 2023 and 2021. There were no bicycle accident deaths in Toronto in 2020 and 2022.
What are the common causes of Toronto bicycle accidents?
Like many accidents involving motor vehicles, bicycle accidents in Toronto often occur because drivers behave in a reckless or aggressive manner. Examples of dangerous driving habits that result in collisions involving cyclists include:
- Drivers who don't share the road with cyclists, especially drivers who don't give cyclists enough room to ride safely.
- Distracted drivers, especially texting drivers, who are not paying attention and hit a cyclist.
- Speeding drivers who don't give themselves enough time to slow down and avoid hitting a cyclist.
- Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
What can be done to prevent Toronto bicycle accidents?
Cycle Toronto and other public safety advocates have offered many suggestions over the years for improving the safety of cyclists in Toronto, including:
- Building more protected bicycle lanes in Toronto.
- Increasing police enforcement of drivers who put cyclists at risk, whether it's speeding or parking illegally in a bicycle lane.
- Educating the public about the dangers cyclists face on Toronto's streets.
"At the end of the day, we just all want to get home safely," Longfield said. "To do that, we need to ensure that our sidewalks and bikeways are as safe as possible, all year round."
How can a Toronto bicycle accident lawyer help?
Toronto bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries and significant expenses. When this happens, injured cyclists must take steps immediately to protect their health and their rights. This is why it's important to speak with a lawyer immediately after a bicycle accident caused by a driver.
An experienced Toronto bicycle accident lawyer at Smitiuch Injury Law can explain your rights and the legal options available to you. Our legal team can also demand the financial compensation you rightfully deserve for all your accident-related expenses.
Get the Toronto law firm focused on finding solutions to your legal issues. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a Toronto bicycle accident lawyer you can count on in a crisis. Our law firm has three offices conveniently located in Toronto, Brantford, and Simcoe, Ontario.
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