This short video shot in High Park in Toronto this weekend has gone viral. Tens of thousands of people viewed it on social media.
Nicholas Riamondo, the cyclist who was targeted, escaped unscathed but nevertheless intends to file a complaint, he confirms to Radio-Canada. He had no intention of doing so, but the supportive reactions expressed on social media as well as the similar experiences shared by other cyclists encourage him to do so.
Thurs in #HighPark a motorist used his vehicle to assault & intimidate a cyclist. These common incidents lay bare the fallacy of the cyclist threat. High Park should be closed to motor vehicles @gordperks. Ticket/charging dangerous drivers @TorontoPolice not cyclists going 24km/h pic.twitter.com/1D8usyhYW6
— The Biking Lawyer (Dave Shellnutt) (@TheBikingLawyer) May 14, 2022
In fact, the video shows the end of the altercation
says Mr. Riamondo, explaining the sequence of events.
The incident began when the driver, parked on the bike path, was on his phone texting, says the cyclist. When we passed, he came out and nearly knocked over my friend who screamed for his attention.
Instead of going after her – and I’m glad he didn’t – he went after me who was riding in front, 6 meters [d’elle], he continues. He tried to push me around the corners so that I fell off my bike, he did that three times.
” I live in Richmond Hill. Every time I go to town, I notice that you meet at least once an aggressive driver who puts you in danger. »
Mr. Riamondo says he is lucky to have emerged unscathed, thanks in particular to his experience as a seasoned cyclist. I’ve been cycling for 20 years, I’ve done it in professional competition. I wasn’t scared because I felt confident
he assures.
I’ve got experience, I know how to get out, I know how to fall, which most people don’t
says the Torontonian.
He claims to have been hit twice by the car.
“Cycling is liberating, do it safely and know your rights,” advises lawyer David Shellnutt, also a cyclist.
Photo: Radio Canada
David Shellnett, lawyer at the firm The Biking Lawyer LLPdepicts cyclists who have been physically injured by motorists who use their car as a weapon
.
” The pandemic has really exacerbated the problem, people are stressed, angry, on edge and you can feel it on the road, they are misbehaving on the street. »
According to him, justice remains too lax in cases of accidents and intimidation of which cyclists are victims.
People know you can get away with murder in a motor vehicle, enforcement is limited and the penalties very light
says Me Shellnett.
Mr. Riamondo nevertheless hopes that the video shot by motorists present at the scene of the incident will help to advance his complaint.
Safer trails
According to data from the Toronto Police Service, there were an annual average of 45 serious bicycle collisions between 2014 and 2020, in which year four cyclists lost their lives.
In view of the number of accidents, Toronto should acquire long-term coordinated thinking in strategy on how to build segregated and safe infrastructure
argues Me Shellnett.
He adds that Toronto’s bike paths are not well marked. [Chaque piste est différente]the markings [aussi]it’s very confusing for everyone, so we need uniformity across the city.
Cyclists involved in a traffic incident can file a complaint online or go to one of the collision reporting centers if there are no injuries requiring immediate medical attention.
A new reporting center has also opened its doors at 9 Hanna Avenue in Liberty Village. It welcomes the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
With information from Camille Feireisen
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca