Must we fight for safer streets? On Goldhawk Live

The cyclist collided with a streetcar. This is the article from the Toronto Star.

Tamara Baluja and Curtis Rush
Staff Reporters

A cyclist was struck and killed this morning by a streetcar on Spadina Ave.

The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m. near the intersection of Spadina and Lake Shore Blvd. W.

The 60-year-old male cyclist was declared dead at the scene, Const. Hugh Smith said.

This was the city’s 36th traffic fatality and the second cyclist fatality of 2010.

Smith called the collision “completely preventable.”

“We’re not sure if he was actually sitting on the bike or just pushing the cycle across the intersection when he was struck,” Smith said.

A mangled bike along with a white running shoe and a blue backpack was lying near the tracks after the accident. The underside of the streetcar was torn off to rescue the cyclist.

It appears the cyclist was struck by the 510 Union station streetcar that had the right of way, Smith said.

“When the man was standing on the median about to cross, he would have been right under the traffic signal and could have not seen the green arrow for the right of way,” Smith said. “It would have looked like all the other traffic would have stopped.”

Smith the Toronto man was wearing a jacket with a hood, “that could have obscured his vision.”

Police don’t believe the streetcar’s speed is a factor in the collision.

“The emergency brakes were applied, but the streetcar is on a fixed track and doesn’t really have an avenue to move out of the way.”

The warning bell was also sounded, Smith said.

“The cyclist wasn’t wearing a helmet. . . not that it would have done anything in this case. He had too many injuries to have made any difference,” Smith said.

The TTC is running a parallel investigation on the streetcar’s working condition and police have collected witness statements from the passengers on the streetcar.

Spadina Ave. was closed between Queen’s Quay and Lake Shore and causing heavy delays in the area, but the intersection re-opened just before 11 a.m. with regular TTC service resuming on the 510 Spadina streetcar.

Wasn't a cyclist, same age killed in right nearby or at the very same intersection last year?

Streetcars are dangerous, i read some comments to the effect that they can't stop... why are we putting mixed traffic in with traffic that can't stop. I hate dealing with streetcars and streetcar tracks - very dangerous!!! Instant fatality or horrible mangling will result.

I feel streetcars a sign of madness and gross danger... the things probably weigh more than a MACK truck and have twice the stopping distance add the surly TTC driver always in a rush... just like the pedestrians who get run over by two or three buses at the station...

This is a terrible accident . Streetcars are a pain for everybody but thanks to David Miller ensured we are stuck with them for decades. Worse yet we face an expanding network of light rail transport.

Mixed traffic obviously means we must deal with a mix of speeds, size and braking ability. I think the only "safe " option for bikes is segregated bike lines. It might not have mattered in this case but we need better protection on our bike lanes

Seriously a different class of vehicle. A pedestrian or cyclist stands no chance, a car stands little chance either.... pretty sure they make those things out of cast iron.

BTW, anybody else notice the traditional November culling of pedestrians by cars? Be careful you don't end up in the jaws of one of these predators.

The impact of the accident on Lakeshore was still was still weighing on my mind when I arrived on the scene of another (less serious) collision at Parliament & Bloor on Friday evening.

Let's all be careful out there.

I personally don't believe the streetcar was at fault in this accident. People cross the dedicated streetcar tracks illegally all the time in that area. This is both cyclists and pedestrians. They walk to the middle and cross when they can. I am sorry he had to die, but it seems like an accident.

I believe cycling skills should be taught in the schools. I had it in Grade 7 in BC . In our recent election, a number of school board trustees ran on a Safe Route to School platform. I have taken my trustee at her word.

Accordingly, we have set up a bicycling subcommittee through the Lakeshore Planning Council. We have begun with inventorying available school bike parking and found it severely inadequate in our ward. There are schools with zero. Our first recommendation will be to install adequate safe bike parking for the children that already ride. We are currently looking at they types of racks we would like to see installed and the price. If anyone has any recommendations, please let us know.

We have identified two schools to use as pilot projects. They are John English and David Horner. Both have Principals who have expressed interest and we know Parents on the parents committee. Alos one is on the Royal York bike lane and the other has a safe way into the school.

Eventually we will need to talk about providing training and skills to students and to their teachers. The probable model will be the CanBike courses. With luck, the TDSB will take on bike training like Drivers ed, but that is an ideal a long way in the future. Most likely the parents will have to pay for the training.

I believe we are failing our kids by not giving them bike training. It should be part of the Schools on the move initiative. We see health reports on childhood obesity and how sedentary children are now. They need the skills to have an active lifestyle. James S. Bell brags about the educational benefits of having their Special Education students riding stationary bikes yet has bike parking for 6 bikes in a place really easy to steal them. Teaching children proper riding skills will make a large difference to the cycling movement Kids who ride to school grow into adults who ride to work and have parents that go for rides with them on weekends. Growing up riding to school was a real milestone for me. The current generation needs that too.

We will hold our next meeting on November 30 at 7 PM. I will post it on the Events page.

decided to assign fault in this accident... and it certainly was an accident.

The streetcar is dangerous, try to stay out of it's forged-iron maw which...well... take care lest you end up pinned under one with trikebum or david slowing to righteously say "I told you so" and "education" is the key. What a slap in the face. De mortuis nil nisim bonum you two.

Yes the streetcar is dangerous to cyclists, no doubt about it. You are right, not getting pinned under it is smart. Does it mean this incident was not an accident? I am very sorry the man died. Mentionning that is righteous how?

The biggest danger faced by cyclists is the number of cars on the road. There is too much traffic. The Mayor Elect know this. Reducing commuter time is a major issue for everyone on Council. It will probaly be one of the biggest issues in the Provincial election too.

As Herb pointed out very well, streetcars move an enormous number of people. I want more streetcars, not less. In particular I support the 507 streetcar initiative. Rob Ford was correct, subways would be better. I especially think extending the line from Kipling to the East Mall then up the 427 to the airport would really help the entire west end. Even the Mayor Elect knows the costs are prohibitive. Also imagine what the downtown would be like with Queen and King St. closed while the new subway was built. Subway building has its place, but it won't replace streetcars.

I believe there is no one magic solution. Education is important. It is something we can do something about. We have the skills and there are people willing to listen. Segregated bike lanes are great. The GO system plans are good. I would even welcome carpool lanes on the major highways. The bottom line is we need ways to get people out of their cars.

I would like to hear your solutions for easing congestion Dance. Well reasoned solutions would be a much response to my slap in your face than Latin quotes.

... because sooner or later, you have to cross an intersection. If drivers & cyclists don't approach them with caution and obey the signals, collisions are going to happen.

The police examination concluded that the cyclist proceeded in front of the vehicle with only 6 feet between them.

It does not matter the vehicle type, at the estimated speed only the finest high performance cars could have stopped in time.

People ranting about streetcars if they are cyclists should realize that the option there is bus and buses whack far more pedestrians and cyclists per capita. They are faster and not nearly so predictable as streetcars. They change lanes more often than Don Cherry changes neckties. During these lane changes rearview for the driver is often partially occluded.

Don't like tracks? Ride a bike with tires of 1.5 width or larger and there are no tracks, they become no more hazardous than a manhole cover. If you can't avoid riding directly on the rail itself then you should consider riding the streetcar because you do not have the fine motor skills to pilot a bicycle or drive a car. Crossing tracks with that tire width is barely noticeable, although you should still pay attention.

Nirvana it is not, but you are suggesting a downgrade to your safety.

People ranting about streetcars in general, take your pro bus (pro car) rants over the The Sun eh?

Silvio, if you don't care about transit then just what the hell are you talking about? Move to a rural area and ride your bike on gravel lanes. Please.

Dances, cast iron? Are you transmitting your thoughts from 1908 somehow? Reference what I write above of buses, the only street level alternative. Did you and Ford share a doubledown together when you had this meeting of the minds?

BTW education does lower accident rates in almost any format for almost any undertaking. How did you come to believe otherwise? The deceased made a judgment call that was in error when he shifted his position to the central median and wore a hood that obscured his vision and dampened his hearing. "Education" on these matters would include the established fact that this is unwise. In all likelihood had he been unencumbered and had full Peripheral vision he would be alive today. Education teaches people things like that.

Ryan, rain doe snot always help. Because sooner or later it will rain too much or too little and the effect is deadly.

On topic, cycling is great but there are much much greater transportation problem in Toronto the resolution or work toward resolution of would have much greater impact on the standard of living in this city. The caller Sunny sounded like John Wayne the comedian that is often on CBC having you all on. Let's try to remember, Toronto is the center of the universe, and cyclists are only a tiny part of that, nothing more. Facing reality will get you more than the pie in the sky crap that I heard there.

Your conclusion that because the cyclist had a hood on he didn't see the streetcar is speculation. I'm just going to dismiss it.

The speed of vehicles like streetcars and trains is hard to judge. Unless you're a canbike wizard.. then you can apparently immediately know. Oh better yet, like Neo from the Matrix you'll just be where the street-cars aren't. Like, Whoa. lol.

I haven't tried the KFC double-down - yet. However, me and Rob Ford might just double-down on your s/o if you keep the insults up, chief. ;)

Hey Dances do you actually believe that being in support of education is a means of slandering an individual in a singular incident? Or do you have your panties in a wad because I made a fool of you and that's the best you can do?

Let's be clear, you spoke out against eduction as a response to accidents on thoroughfares.

I spoke in favour of same, and provided a relevant example of how education can be beneficial.

That is not the same thing as calling the cyclist dumb or ignorant, as you have done in your assumption.

It is not my fault that you relate any need for education as a detractor of the target of education. By your logic children should be insulted that they are expected to learn drivers should be offended that they are given a handbook and cyclists should be scornful of anyone who advises them of a safe practice. The way that you are.

Oh and the hood, is not speculation, he was definitely wearing a hood all the way up, experience would tell anyone, including you, that this detracts from both hearing and vision, you can deny it if you want to look like an ass. Whether is caused or contributed is not yet known and may not be, but do you have an explanation that does provide a logical reason that the cyclist might have proceeded believing it safe, or do you thereby conclude that he jumped in front of the streetcar with 6 feet to spare because he thought is was not safe?

Speed is not hard to judge if you are practiced or make careful observation. Can-bike is for weenies like yourself, if you had not alienated yourself from them, and if you want to make threats just provide the address of the 2-bit POS losing money hole in the wall shit bike store you probably work at driving into the ground while failing at everything.

Bitch.

Learn this,

Asserting a need for education is not the same as asserting a lack of education.

So,

Bitch,

Listen,

I didn't say that about the dead man, you did.

Wimp.

Really - Somebody is just going to post up comments about lack of cyclist education right after they claimed a cyclist was to blame for their own death. Don't confuse support of education with what you're doing here - slandering the victim as an ignorant cyclist on the very posting dedicated to them.

Apparently, canbike and cycling education is for losers who go around calling people bitch and trying to goad them on the internet.. You did say something about the deceased. You still say it. Anybody with eyes can read between the lines of what your saying. Snob.

Lastly, I'm sorry, but your reaction it is just too funny... You got caught doing something impolite. Next time shut your mouth and don't bother to say smart-ass things at another man's funeral. Got it?

Uhm, this post is about the Goldhawk show and comments thereon.

AND "Asserting a need for education is not the same as asserting a lack of education" is spot on.

The posters are correct that dances-with-traffic was the first to suggest that the deceased was not properly educated by making the mistake of claiming that is what the others meant.

dances-twih-traffic you do know that asserting a need for education is not the same thing as asserting a lack of education, don't you? It is hard to put it any simpler. You could also say, "everything human can be improved upon to it's benefit or further protection from detriment"

I'd call you a bitch too if you claimed I was debasing the dead and if you made a threat, which you clearly did.