For the second time this year a cyclist has been killed on the streets of Toronto.
A memorial of candles and flowers can be seen at Dundas Street near Sterling Road in Toronto, where a 38-year-old pregnant cyclist was struck and killed on the westbound lanes of Dundas Street. The female cyclist was knocked under the vehicle and trapped under the back tires. It is the second time this year that a cyclist has been killed on Toronto streets. This incident is on the heels of last months announcement from the Ontario’s chief coroner office; saying that they plan to review cycling deaths across Ontario over the last four years.
A review very much alike the one planned was completed in 1998. The review spanned an 11-year period where 38 cycling deaths occurred the city of Toronto. As a result of that review, a number of cycling initiatives were recommended for the city of Toronto. Some of those include a citywide network of cycling lanes, called “The Bike Plan”, and the creation of the cycling advisory committee, (which was unfortunately disbanded earlier this year.)
15 – 20 cyclists die annually in Ontario as a result of accidental injuries
According to numerous studies, the probability of a cyclist dying when hit by a car going 30 km/h is around 5 per cent; that rate jumps to about 80 per cent when a car is traveling at 50 km/h.
The World Health Organization recommends 30 km/h speed limits in urban neighborhoods
Experts suggest a crucial safety factor is the construction of protected bike lanes that separating sidewalks that separate parked cars. Sometimes these could be on different levels, arranging them so that the parked cars act as protection for cyclists.
Toronto is considered an ideal candidate for a bike grid. The city fairly flat, and has an urban footprint of about 20KM by 40KM.
In Copenhagen, a leading bike lane city, forty per-cent of the population use bicycles as a principle means of transportation. In Toronto, this is around two per-cent.
Not only does cycling result in cleaner air, a reduction in traffic congestion, and safer transportation — it also leads to more healthy and active lifestyles.
In Ontario, the law assists cycling accident victims. It places an onus on motor vehicle operators to prove their innocence. Cycling accident victims may be entitled to claim compensation from the negligent act of another. The at-fault person’s insurer normally pays this compensation. In Ontario, cycling injury victims who suffer serious and permanent injuries can recover damages compensating them for all of their losses, including their pain and suffering, their past and future lost income, their extraordinary future health care and home maintenance costs, and their out of pocket expenses.
The Kahler Personal Injury Law Firm handles a wide range of cycling accident injury cases; from inattentive drivers, catastrophic injuries, drunk driving, careless driving and defective road conditions. The expert Toronto cycling accident lawyers at the Kahler Firm are dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of cyclists.
The Kahler Firm only represents injury victims and their families. They will work hard to protect your rights. The lawyers at the Kahler Personal Injury Law Firm have successfully argued and enforced the rights of injured people at all levels of court, including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court and the Ontario Court of Appeal. Our experienced Toronto cycling accident lawyers will aggressively fight for you.
Call Toll Free: 1.866.739.7702.
The Kahler Personal Injury Law Firm offers free cycling injury consultations and free case assessments.
The Kahler Personal Injury Law Firm handles a wide range of cycling accident injury cases; from inattentive drivers, catastrophic injuries, drunk driving, careless driving and defective road conditions. The expert Toronto cycling accident lawyers at the Kahler Firm are dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of cyclists.
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