For all bicycle lovers

[Damondean]

Police say that a 15-year-old boy could face charges after striking a pedestrian this afternoon in Scarborough, sending the woman to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Emergency crews were called to the crash at Kennedy Rd. near Sheppard Ave. E. at about 3:30 p.m., Toronto police Sgt. Tim Burrows said.

A 50-year-old woman was walking south on the west sidewalk of Kennedy Rd. while the teen was cycling north on the same sidewalk. The two collided head on.

The woman was rushed to hospital with head injuries, while the boy was not injured.

"Adult-sized bicycles are not to be on sidewalks," Burrows said, adding that it's too early in the investigation to determine whether charges will be laid.

 

[xix]

Police say that a 15-year-old boy could face charges after striking a pedestrian this afternoon in Scarborough, sending the woman to hospital with life-threatening injuries.


"Adult-sized bicycles are not to be on sidewalks," Burrows said, adding that it's too early in the investigation to determine whether charges will be laid.

And if bicyclist rode on the road and a hit and run occurs with a car, the police will not help the bicyclist.
It happen to a few guys at work.

 

[Rockslinger]

This tragedy was just waiting to happen with all the cyclists on Toronto's cluttered sidwalks. Ever see how much shit are on our sidewalks (trees, tree boxes, sandwich boards, store merchandise, patios, beggers, bike rings, parking meters, benches, hot dog vendors, etc. etc.) Some of those cyclists are whizzing by at 50 kph!

 

[Brill]

Excellent example of why pedestrians should wear helmets!

 

[R A Z O R]

Excellent example of why pedestrians should wear helmets!

I don't go anywhere without mine.

 

[berzerker]

And if bicyclist rode on the road and a hit and run occurs with a car, the police will not help the bicyclist.
It happen to a few guys at work.

I don't think that's the problem.

The problem is the speed freaks that think sidewalks are race tracks.

 

[Kirk Lazarus]

And if bicyclist rode on the road and a hit and run occurs with a car, the police will not help the bicyclist.
It happen to a few guys at work.

What do you mean the police will not help the bicyclist? They just leave the bicyclist lying on the street?

 

[fuji]

Two points:

1. Does anybody know what the stats are? What is the percentage of accidents caused by bikes, relative to those caused by cars, for the same number of km's travelled?

2. The guy should not have been on the sidewalk. He should have been on the road, in contol of a lane, where he can safely manage the situation.

 

[silee]

It's too bad the city can't create enough bicyle lane for all the street, specially out of downtown core where the car speed is faster than in downtown. So, most of the cyclist are biking on the sidewalk.

 

[Cycleguy007]

REAL cyclists don't ride on sidewalks... at least not in K-W area.... I can't speak for TO. This was just a kid out for a ride, probably coming or going to a destination...

Rock:

Some of those cyclists are whizzing by at 50 kph!

VERY FEW cyclists ride at 50 kph.... Stage 18 of this year's Tour De France was a time trial- 40.5 km long. The winner of that race (Alberto Contador) completed it in just over 48 min. That means he was traveling at 50 khp. But... He's arguably the best in the world, and using specialized equipment and under "ideal" conditions- i.e. no traffic etc. His average speed over the entire 3500 kms tour was just over 40 kph.

My average is about 32-33 kph. There are instances where I make it over 40, but only on country roads or long straight aways and NEVER on a sidewalk! Only time I venture over 50 is when there are hills involved. My top speed thus far is 72 kph. (It was a BIG HILL! LOL)

 

[xix]

I don't think that's the problem.

The problem is the speed freaks that think sidewalks are race tracks.

Yes, there are to many speed freaks everywhere, mainly at the downhill.
Also people or anyone wheather walking, running, or on bike seem to zig zag to much instead of staying on the right side of the path, like adriving a car. Most people wondered from right to left back and forth.

Also most young folks under 35 even 45 don't seem to understand that old folks over 4 6 get confused as they age so they rash decision and are nervous.

 

[xix]

What do you mean the police will not help the bicyclist? They just leave the bicyclist lying on the street?

After they file a complaint even with license plate partial, they simply said we can't help you if you don't have the full license, or witness.

Although they have been pushed and landed in a good way, they are sore where they hit the cement floor.

Now with many morons driving around with Headphones,(mp3 players), GPS, Cell phone and Text messenging machines, it is more dangerous for any person who is on the street.

A fellow told me he got rear end by another guy because the plaintiff was arguing with his girlfriend, since she started the arguement.

Why do people argue when operating a machine?

 

[tboy]

And if bicyclist rode on the road and a hit and run occurs with a car, the police will not help the bicyclist.
It happen to a few guys at work.

bullshit

Although they have been pushed and landed in a good way, they are sore where they hit the cement floor.

That's why they didn't help your "friends", he was riding INSIDE a building because here in Canada, cars don't drive on cement floors......

 

[tboy]

Two points:

1. Does anybody know what the stats are? What is the percentage of accidents caused by bikes, relative to those caused by cars, for the same number of km's travelled?

2. The guy should not have been on the sidewalk. He should have been on the road, in contol of a lane, where he can safely manage the situation.

1) The only way these stats would mean anything is on a per capita basis. There are obviously WAY more cars on the roads than bikes so of course the number of accidents caused by cars would be higher. This wouldn't prove anything other than the fact that there are more cars on the road.

2) He shouldn't even be on the road, he should be on a dedicated bike path running paralell to the main thoroughfare. Additionally, this bike path should be covered or maintained for year round use.....

 

[Moraff]

That's why they didn't help your "friends", he was riding INSIDE a building because here in Canada, cars don't drive on cement floors......

Actually there are quite a few concrete roads around my friend.

 

[Moraff]

After they file a complaint even with license plate partial, they simply said we can't help you if you don't have the full license, or witness.

Although they have been pushed and landed in a good way, they are sore where they hit the cement floor.

Well that would hold true whether they were a pedestrian, cyclist or motorist. If you don't have the full plate and a witness and no one is seriously hurt the cops aren't going to expend a lot of effort for you.

Now with many morons driving around with Headphones,(mp3 players), GPS, Cell phone and Text messenging machines, it is more dangerous for any person who is on the street.

A fellow told me he got rear end by another guy because the plaintiff was arguing with his girlfriend, since she started the arguement.

Why do people argue when operating a machine?

Same reason they text/read/eat/shave/apply makeup/change clothes/breast feed/play loud music...... THEY'RE IDIOTS!

 

[tboy]

Actually there are quite a few concrete roads around my friend.

ummm read a little more carefully:

they are sore where they hit the cement floor.

 

[Cycleguy007]

Now with many morons driving around with Headphones,(mp3 players), GPS, Cell phone and Text messaging machines, it is more dangerous for any person who is on the street.

Same can be said about Mp3 players and people walking, running and riding along the paths...

Happens all the time... I will ride up behind a person riding, walking or jogging along the trail and they don't hear me coming because they are rocking on to some tunes on their mp3/ Ipod etc... they are COMPLETELY oblivious of EVERYTHING going on behind/ around them... I even announce my presence by saying "passing on the left" (or right depending on what side is easier because people don't ALWAYS follow the rules and travel on the right side), but they still don't hear me... In such an instance, I end up scaring the crap out of them when I ride by them at 30 kph or more!

What's wrong with listening to the music of nature?

 

[Moraff]

ummm read a little more carefully:

Majority of people use cement/concrete interchangeably with the majority of readers knowing what was intended.

However if you want to pick nits... building floors are also made of concrete not cement to the best of my knowledge

Now if you had chosen to highlight "floors" instead of cement I would have admitted I hadn't picked up on driving on them as opposed to a road. <grin>

 

[Brill]

Wow, what a revelation - morons can be drivers, cyclists or pedestrians.

Nail this individual sidewalk biker, don't tar the whole group. Let's enforce this law.