Lindsay Williams was biking west on the north side of Bloor St. near St. George St. Tuesday afternoon and was stopped at a red light when she saw, on the southeast corner, a truck hit a cyclist.She immediately ran into the intersection to try to stop traffic and see if she could help.But it was too late for 58-year-old Dalia Chako, who died at the scene.âI was so scared I didnât even go on my bike again,â said Williams, a social outreach worker who relies on cycling to get to work and around the city.She walked her bike all the way home that day and has since been taking the TTC, not sure when sheâll muster enough courage to return to pedalling. Williams noted the woman appeared to be in the bike lane and was wearing a helmet. Neither guarantee safety.âYou think youâre being safe and youâre protecting yourself, but I still watched her die,â she said. âYou start to think youâre going to be hit all the time no matter what you do.âRead more:âShe LOVED to ride her bikeâ: Cyclist killed on Bloor identified as 58-year-old grandmother Dalia ChakoOpinion | Edward Keenan: We know how to make roads safer. We just have to do itâItâs time to declare a state of emergencyâ: Anger, calls for change follow deaths on Toronto streetsAn all-season cyclist for the past 15 years, Williams said she has experienced collisions and close calls. Last week, a driver made a right-hand turn and hit her near Bloor St. and Dufferin St., got out of his car, fixed his bent mirror and drove off without even asking if she was OK.She said unless there are concrete blocks or cement poles for separation, cars will âalways drive into bike lanes.ââIt doesnât feel like thereâs any safety at all,â she said.Itâs a common sentiment among other cyclists, and not just following the recent rash of deaths and injuries on the cityâs streets.In response to a call-out fo ...
|