More than 100 cyclist collisions, dozens of injuries reported in Sask. each year: SGI

Every year, Saskatchewan sees an average of 121 collisions between cyclists and drivers.

Those numbers come from SGI, which added that more than 90 of those collisions typically result in injuries or death.

In Saskatoon so far this year, two cyclists have died in collisions so far this year.

In May, 33-year-old Natasha Fox was killed while cycling with her children along College Drive and Wiggins Avenue.

On Wednesday, a 36-year-old Saskatoon man was killed while cycling near the intersection of Avenue P South, and 19th Street.

Both deaths involved collisions with motor vehicles.

According to SGI’s Tyler McMurchy, while both drivers and cyclists are responsible for following the rules and sharing the road, cyclists are much more vulnerable than are drivers and should always try to be as safe as they can.

“It means going in the same directions as other vehicles in the right lane, paying attention to traffic-control devices, using hand signals to indicate your intentions and, essentially, treating it like you are operating a motor vehicle even if you are operating a bicycle,” he said.

Wearing a helmet, having appropriate reflectors, and even wearing bright-coloured clothing are also good ideas, McMurchy added.

“Understanding that you are smaller and more nimble than other vehicles that are on the road … you can stop quicker than a vehicle that might be behind you,” he added.

On the other side of things, motorists also have an obligation to keep cyclists safe and to respect their right to be on the road.

McMurchy said it’s important for drivers to be patient and wait for a safe opportunity to pass a cyclist even in heavy traffic.

“You might be behind a cyclist for a bit of time but, generally speaking, cyclists will pull over and allow drivers to pass when they are able to,” he said.

Until that time, it’s a good idea to keep a safe distance.

Overall, McMurchy said it’s important for everyone to respect others’ rights to be on the road, be observant, and obey traffic laws.