Calls for Alberta traffic law changes after collision involving five cyclists

EDMONTON — A collision in which five cyclists were injured has led to debate over who was following rules of the road and whether Alberta should change its traffic laws to better protect bicycle riders.

The cyclists were taken to hospital on Saturday — two of them in serious condition — after they were hit from behind by a pickup truck on the Sherwood Park Freeway east of Edmonton.

The five were among 15 cyclists participating in a weekly ride.

Officials with Edmonton’s 9th Street Cycle-Logic biking club said one of their members required emergency surgery for multiple fractures and internal injuries.

Another remained in hospital as of Sunday night for observation, while the three others were released from hospital.

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Alberta’s cycling laws are currently under review and advocates are hoping the province will allow side-by-side riding and other measures they see as contributing to safer roadways.

“It is every club’s nightmare to know a group of cyclists went down during a group ride,” Tiffany Baker of the Edmonton Road and Track Club told CTV Edmonton. 

RCMP Cpl. James Stanviloff said investigators believe the pickup truck’s driver may not have been paying attention to the road.

The woman remained at the scene and police have not said whether she will be charged.

Gail Wozny, president of the Juventus Cycling Club, said a lot of reaction to the collision she has seen online has blamed the cyclists.

“It’s stirring up a lot of reaction that’s pretty negative,” she said.

RCMP have said the cyclists were riding in the centre lane of traffic and travelling two abreast, both of which are illegal in Alberta.

“I know it is common that cyclists do ride two abreast, but the club rules don’t supersede what the law states,” said Stanviloff.

Cycling advocates say riding two abreast is safer than the single-file formation required by law, in part because it makes cyclists more visible to other road users.

“We aren’t guaranteed that everybody is looking out for our safety,” Baker said. “It’s that unknown piece that we can’t control … that is so incredibly scary.”

Quebec and British Columbia also require cyclists to travel single file. Ontario allows side-by-side riding only when there are no cars around.

It is not clear when any changes to Alberta traffic laws might become public or take effect.

 (CTV Edmonton, The Canadian Press)

The Canadian Press