In a video taken by a cell phone, a motorist chased a cyclist as he tried to strike him on the side. We heard screams, the sound of a horn, then the driver got out of his car to shout at the cyclist himself.
This short video shot in High Park in Toronto this weekend went viral. Tens of thousands of people watched it on social media.
Nicholas Riamondo, the cyclist targeted, escaped unharmed but nonetheless intends to file a complaint, he confirmed to Radio-Canada. He has no intention of doing so, but the supportive reactions expressed on social media as well as similar experiences shared by other cyclists encourage him to do so.
In fact, the video showed the end of the disputesaid Mr. Rimondo, explaining the sequence of events.
The incident began when the driver parked in the bike lane, was on his phone texting, the cyclist said. When we passed he came out and my friend almost fell down screaming for attention.
Instead of following him – and I’m glad he didn’t – he followed me riding in front, 6 meters. [d’elle], he continued. He tried to push me into corners so I fell off my bike, he did that three times.
” I live in Richmond Hill. Every time I go into town, I notice you encounter at least once an aggressive driver who puts you in danger. “
Mr. Rimondo said he was fortunate to come out unscathed, especially in his experience as a seasoned cyclist. I’ve been cycling for 20 years, I’ve done it in professional competition. I was not scared because I was confidenthe assured.
I have experience, I know how to get out, I know how to fall, which most people don’tsaid the Torontonian.
He was allegedly hit twice by the car.
David Shellnett, attorney at the firm Bike Lawyer LLPdescribes cyclists who are physically injured by motorists using their vehicle as a weapon.
” The pandemic really exacerbated the problem, people were stressed, angry, on the sidelines and you could feel it on the road, they were making mistakes on the street. “
According to him, justice remains too lax in cases of accidents and intimidation victimized by cyclists.
People know you can escape murder in a motor vehicle, enforcement is limited and the penalties are very lightsaid Me Shellnett.
However, Mr. Rimondo hopes that the video taken by motorists present at the scene of the incident will help to advance his complaint.
Safer paths
According to data from the Toronto Police Service, there was an annual average of 45 serious bicycle collisions between 2014 and 2020, in which four cyclists were killed.
Looking at the number of accidents, Toronto should catch up long-term coordinated thinking on strategy on how to build separate and secure infrastructurereasoning Me Shellnett.
He added that Toronto’s bike lanes are not well marked. [Chaque piste est différente]the marks [aussi]too confusing for everyone, so we need uniformity across the city.
Cyclists involved in a traffic incident can file a complaint online or go to one of the collision reporting centers if there are no injuries requiring immediate medical attention.
A new reporting center also opened at 9 Hanna Avenue in Liberty Village. It welcomes the public from 11 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday (except public holidays).
There is information from Camille Feireisen
Source: Radio-Canada
