Friday, April 28, 2006

The City responds to Cycling Fatalities

(Press Release) City stresses steps to avoid bicycle and truck collisions
TORONTO, April 28 /CNW/ - Toronto's Cycling Committee Chair, Councillor Adam Giambrone (Ward 18 Davenport), together with City staff and Sergeant Brian Bowman, Toronto Police Services, spoke today about recent fatalities and ways to avoid bicycle and truck collisions.
"We all have a responsibility to ensure that cyclists are safe on our road," said Councillor Giambrone. "The fact is that the last five cyclist deaths in Toronto have involved trucks, and it's a pattern we can't ignore. Most cyclist collisions are not with trucks, but those that are tend to be deadly. Truck drivers and cyclists have to be aware of each other and the safest way to share the road." (read on in the comments) ...

3 comments:

Steeker said...

Uhmm I did not see that a driver of a truck or van that pass's a cyclist SHOULD NOT make a right hand turn until they know where the cyclist is I believe it is called the right hook

Steeker said...

I hope your comming to the CM tonight I will be able to make it :D

Tino said...

(cont.) ... To develop measures for bolstering truck and pedestrian/cyclist safety,
the Transportation Association of Canada has just begun a research study into causes of collisions between pedestrians/cyclists and large commercial vehicles. Toronto is a co-sponsor of the study, along with Montreal, Ottawa,
Vancouver and Winnipeg.
City staff, who co-ordinate bicycle safety education programs and are implementing Toronto's Bike Plan for more bike lanes and routes, have a number of very important tips for cyclists and for drivers.
<<
Tips for Cyclists:
- do not share a lane with a truck. Stay ahead or behind. A truck
occupies the full lane.
- do not pass a right turning truck on the right side
- do not start from a stop beside a truck. Low speeds make it difficult
to track a straight line. Wait for the truck to clear before
starting.
- beware of blind spots. The truck driver cannot see you if you are
beside the truck or close behind the truck.

Tips for Drivers:
- do not pass too closely. You may need to cross the centre line to
safely pass a cyclist.
- do not put a cyclist in your blind spot. Stay behind the cyclist at a
stop light.
- do not open driver or passenger doors without looking back for
approaching cyclists. Expect to see cyclists on most roads in Toronto and take co-operative actions to increase safety.

Further details on Toronto's bicycle programs are available online at www.toronto.ca/cycling.

For further information: Media contacts: Kevin Beaulieu, Executive
Assistant to Councillor Adam Giambrone, (416) 338-5305; Daniel Egan, Manager,
Pedestrian and Cycling Infrastructure, Transportation Services Division, (416)
392-9065; Barb Wentworth, Bicycle Safety Planner, City Planning Division,
(416) 392-1142