Another Toronto cyclist killed as 2024 deaths now exceed previous 4 years combined

A horrific incident occurred this morning around 8:45 a.m. on one of the busiest stretches of the city of Toronto on Bloor Street West near Queen’s Park, resulting in the death of a cyclist. The driver of a large dump truck collided with a female cyclist, marking the fifth cyclist fatality in Toronto this year—already surpassing the total number of deaths from the previous four years.

The incident took place near the Royal Ontario Museum at the intersection of Bloor Street West and Avenue Road. Witnesses reported that the cyclist was struck on the road and pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.

Local authorities have closed Bloor Street West from Avenue Road to Bay Street while the Toronto Police Service investigates the fatality.

Eyewitnesses and online commenters expressed concerns about the safety of large vehicles, such as dump trucks, on city streets. One witness, identified as bellsbliss, mentioned the difficulty these large trucks have in stopping quickly, highlighting the potential danger they pose to cyclists and pedestrians.

“It was one of those big construction trucks with a bobcat in the back bed. A big heavy truck that would never be able to stop fast enough,” they noted.

The city of Toronto has been building safe cycling infrastructure, perhaps not enough for local advocates, but it is ongoing, including on Bloor, Avenue nearby Yonge Street and other main streets as other roadwork takes place.

But, there is also rampant development growth across the city in response to a perceived housing crisis. Bike lanes and entire street lanes are often closed for construction for months if not years.

Cyclist hit and killed by a driver this morning at Bloor & Avenue, while Councillors work to actively undermine road safety on Avenue Road. Shame! https://t.co/7g76jw6YNp #topoli #bikeTO pic.twitter.com/IbfZhpHQeb

— Norm Di Pasquale (@normsworld) July 25, 2024

For instance, despite the recent addition of bike lanes on Bloor Street, issues remain with lane continuity and obstruction. Commenters suggested that the lanes end abruptly, often becoming turning lanes, which increases the risk to cyclists.

“There’s a giant dumpster currently occupying that lane and parked cars sort of turning the westbound bike lane into a dead end. Not sure if the cyclist swerved into the road because of the blockage, but the truck is in the westbound car lane quite a bit before the intersection. Really tragic incident,” wrote another witness.

The construction of separated bike lanes is still in progress in the area, including on Avenue Road, where three other cyclists have been killed in recent years. One commenter, bangnburn, highlighted that the bike lanes near the crash site are incomplete and frequently obstructed by construction vehicles.

The photo above (Facebook Jo Koga) shows Bloor Street this morning with construction bin in bike lane and accident in the distance.

🚨Another tragic collision involving a dump truck and someone biking. The intersection of Avenue Rd and Queen’s Park needs a redesign to end the #roadviolence. And something needs to done to review the size and operation of dump trucks. #TOpoli https://t.co/cqkN6Ja76n

— Ali = Alison Stewart 🚲😎 (@AlisonVStewart) July 25, 2024

As a fifth person’s life is lost due to deciding to ride a bicycle, any gain in momentum from the addition of separated bicycle lanes is extinguished. How are potential bicycle commuters to view another death? Many will leave the bicycle at home and make it to work another way, perhaps driving despite some of the worst traffic congestion in the world. And who can blame them?

Can there be a significant modal shift away from cars and trucks if cyclists continue to die?

The identity of the deceased cyclist has not been released, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the investigation.

This tragic and preventable loss of life underscores the need for better infrastructure and policies to protect cyclists and other vulnerable road users in urban areas around the world.