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Almost five months after the city council approved the installation of a bike lane and bike box at the intersection of Wiggins Avenue and College Drive following a cyclist’s death, someone took it upon themselves to put these changes into effect.
Last May, Natasha Fox was cycling at that very intersection with her two children behind her, where she was struck and killed by a cement truck. Her two children were not injured.
Now, unsanctioned spray-painted lines imitate a bike lane and a box at that intersection where a memorial of Fox also sits.
“While seemingly well-intentioned, the lines painted on the road are not city-designed and could pose an eventual risk to cyclists,” the city’s Director of Transportation Jay Magus said in a statement.
Unsanctioned spray-painted lines imitate a bike lane and a box at that intersection where cyclist Natasha Fox died.(Mia Holowaychuk/ 650 CKOM)
According to the city, work is currently being done on a detailed design for the bike lane and bike box which will be installed in mid-October along with a no-right turn on red restriction.
Furthermore, the removal of the unsanctioned lines will likely correspond with the preparation of these markings.
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark told CKOM Morning Show Host Mark Loshak he went down to the intersection himself to see markings and noted the safety issue.
“We don’t want people to misread or to misinterpret those lines, (or) have any kind of incidents,” he said.
A memorial sign for cyclist Natasha Fox is placed beside unsanctioned painted bike lanes at the intersection where she died. (Mia Holowaychuk/ 650 CKOM
Still, Clark recognized the statement made with these markings and reiterated the city is working hard to resolve the issue with a more permanent solution.
“We really, really hope it will help organize people at that very, very busy intersection.”
Police withhold investigation details in Fox accident.
On April 25, 650 CKOM filed a Freedom of Information request asking for the accident report and details of the collision between the truck and Fox.
On August 2, the police service denied the request citing a number of reasons, including releasing such details could “threaten the safety or the physical or mental health of an individual,” or could “disclose information with respect to a lawful investigation.”
On Tuesday, when questioned why the results of the investigation were withheld, Saskatoon Police Chief Cam McBride said public interest is considered before the information is released.
“Out of respect for the victim, the family, (or) anyone who would have a close connection to the circumstance we are not releasing that information,” McBride told CKOM’s Evan Bray.
“It’s the decision we made, we stand by it, and it’s the right thing to do.”
McBride said it’s “really hard” to decide whether or not details should be released, and noted police take a balanced approach by looking at the circumstances and intricacies of an investigation.
While details are not being released right now, McBride did not rule out the possibility that they could be if circumstances change in the future.
McBride explained that police can have a seat at the table to provide insight when looking at conversations or commitments to make significant changes such as bike lanes, particularly when they cost a lot of money.
“I think that’s the best place to inject some of what we’ve learned from this tragic circumstance,” he said.
— With files from 650 CKOM’s Lara Fominoff