Photo credits – Riley Seferiades
London cyclists called for safer roads as part of a ‘Critical Mass’ ride Saturday, following a slew of crashes.
The protest aimed to bring awareness to things that make Londoners feel unfomfortable biking on the streets, like missing bike lanes, intimidating drivers and road safety concerns.
Organizers wanted the ride to spark change and help make cyclistes feel more supported.
Laura Galvis Daza, who helped organize the event, is a year-round cycling commuter, as well as a London region community ambassador for The Biking Lawyer LLP and volunteers with London Cycle Link.
“I would say people are upset, people are scared. There has been some discussion online where people are like, ‘hey, you know what, this is kind of the last straw for me. I’m going to stop road cycling for a while. It’s getting a little iffy out there and dicey,'” she said.
Recent crashes include:
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- October 6: a cyclist was taken to hospitail after colliding with a police cruiser.
- September 30: a 34-year-old- cyclist died after crashing with a vehicle on Richmond Street in Thames Centre.
- Sepetember 16: a cyclist collided with a vehichle at Dundas and Maitland street leaving the cyclist with life threatening injuries.
Andrew McCleneghan, owner of London Bicycle Cafe, said safer infrastructure and harsher enforcment of traffic rules are essential right now.
“So for cyclists, all we really have in the majority of the city is a little white line of paint. And that’s all that keeps us safe from a vehicle and the driver in the vehicle that is maybe distracted, maybe going too fast or simply not paying attention for all the different reasons that happen as a driver,” he said.
He said phones and speed are some of the biggest issues.
“Is empathy going away? I’m not really sure. I know it isnt for everyone’s but, everyones in a rush. Everyone’s distracted by mobile technology. Stop at any intersection and look around you and you will see people on their phones. I mean, everyone knows this. It’s almost an accepted fact, yet they cant stop themselves,” he added.
Galvis Daza said organizing Saturday’s event started online with local cycling organizations, buisnesses and clubs spreading the word.
The eight kilometre ride started at Gibbons Park, then travelling through downtown to Hamilton Road before ending in Old East Village.
“It will remind them that people do ride bicycles in this city, in London, and that those people deserve safe roadways and kind treatment. We are your neighbours after all,” she said in a final message.
McCleneghan said safer bike lanes can benefit drivers too, by creating a safer alternative for driving and minimizing cars on the road.
