In late July, tragedy struck on the streets of Toronto when a 24-year-old woman lost her life after being struck by a dump truck while biking on Bloor near Avenue Road. The young cyclist had to veer out of the bike lane and into traffic due to a construction waste bin blocking the lane, ultimately leading to the fatal accident. As a result, the City of Toronto has filed bylaw charges against the bin disposal company, Ontario Trucking and Disposal Ltd., and the general contractor, Mass Contracting, involved in the incident.
If convicted, the companies could face a maximum fine of $1,000 per charge, a penalty that has been met with criticism from experts and advocates alike. The tragic death of the cyclist has once again highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of cyclists on the streets of Toronto, especially in areas where construction and heavy traffic may pose risks to vulnerable road users.
Global’s Sean O’Shea provides more insight into the responses of the companies facing charges and sheds light on the ongoing efforts to improve cyclist safety in the city. With the rising number of cyclists on the roads and the need for shared spaces to accommodate all modes of transportation, it is crucial for companies and contractors to prioritize safety measures to prevent such devastating accidents from occurring in the future.
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Video “Bylaw charges filed against companies after cyclist killed by dump truck in Toronto” was uploaded on 08/08/2024 to Youtube Channel Global News