Mothers everywhere have repeatedly lectured their children to strap on a helmet, cycle single-file and wear a neon wardrobe while riding their bike.

Like many of Mom’s rants, these seemingly paranoid instructions come in handy. 

Protective gear is always a wise way to spend money; however, no money can protect cyclists from all elements while on the road. 

I questioned six people who have fallen victim to a vehicle while cycling. These are their stories.

“I shoulder-checked for oncoming traffic and judged that nothing was oncoming,” says cyclist Sarah Pogson, describing her accident. “I held my arm out to signal, then woke up in (the Health Sciences Centre’s) adult emergency.” 

Unfortunately, the nature of Pogson’s accident is common among cyclists: the cyclist obeys the rules of the road yet ends up suffering from those who don’t.

Caleigh Christie, a seasoned Winnipeg cyclist, was hit by a turning taxi despite her front and back bike lights.

“My bike took the majority of the impact and went flying,” recalls Christie. “I rolled up on the hood and when he came to a stop, I rolled back off the car.”

Greg Weigeldt, another experienced cyclist, was sideswiped by a truck pulling a long, flatbed trailer. The driver continued on without stopping.

Motorists can have a negative impact on cyclists even if minimal or no contact occurs.

One cyclist I questioned was biking on a Sunday morning and noticed a car approaching rapidly behind him.

Upon looking back to make sure he wasn’t going to get hit, his front tire sunk into a pothole, hurtling his body over the handlebars.

One Saturday night on Portage Avenue, Uniter contributor Dunja Kovacevic found herself prey to a presumably drunk carload of teenagers.

“The group of kids swerved into me, hit me and continued alongside me in an attempt to trap me between their car and a parked car,” she says.

Like the other cyclists this writer interviewed, Kovacevic notes that she was “doing everything required” of her. 

“I was sober, alert, cautious,” she says.

All cyclists noted heightened awareness and most felt symptoms of paranoia while cycling post-accident. However, all but one cyclist continues to use biking as their main mode of transportation.

What can be done to prevent future motorist/cyclist accidents from occurring? 

“Peace among men” was one response.

However, until then, Winnipeg could benefit from bike systems that other cities have.

“Bike Lanes. Real ones,” suggests one Winnipegger who spent time living and cycling the streets of Montreal. “Rachel Street in Montreal is a prime example. They don’t just paint bikes on the ground ... they put concrete dividers between the road and the bike lane.”

To only blame motorists would be naïve; however, Winnipeg needs to be proactive in creating a safer environment for cyclists - be it in the form of education, road dividers or entirely separate bike lanes. 

The bottom line, as Christie states, is simple: “Cyclists and drivers need to learn to ride together.”

Published in Volume 66, Number 9 of The Uniter (October 26, 2011)