The deaths of three cyclists this summer has convinced the coroner's office that more needs to be done -- soon -- to protect the lives of cyclists.
Christian Brulotte was killed in April, while Marc-Andre Fontaine and Suzanne Chatelain died in July.
All three were experienced cyclists who died in what the coroner determined were entirely preventable circumstances.
Brulotte was crushed by a truck at the intersection of Wellington and Mountain, which is a very narrow street without a sidewalk or bicycle lane.
Fontaine was bicycling on Rosemont Blvd. in June when a driver opened a door directly in his path. He died a week after the crash.
Chatelain died in similar circumstances: while riding on Park Ave. a driver opened a door directly in her path. She swerved to avoid the door and was run over by a bus. She died one week later.
Doctors Jean Brochu and Jocelyne Tessier investigated the three deaths and concluded that certain parts of the Highway Code are out of date, while other, crucial sections are ignored.
"Lots of people seem not to even know that it's a fine," said Dr. Brochu. "It's dangerous to open a door either on a cyclist or a pedestrian. People should be [made aware] that it's dangerous."
They have a list of recommendations for official agencies and for people on the road, especially drivers.
They include:
- An SAAQ campaign to remind drivers to look behind them when opening doors
- Increasing the penalties for opening a door unsafely
- Revising the Highway Safety Code to make commuting safer for cyclists
- The city of Montreal should identify dangerous locations for cycling and alter them
- Creating more bicycle boxes so cyclists can 'filter' in front of other traffic that is stopped at a light
- Encouraging more cyclists to wear helmets
Coroner's report on cycling deaths
