Toronto leads the country in bike-on-car collisions—wait, really?
The city recently released a report about last year’s data on cyclist collisions with cars and pedestrians, and the statistics are surprisingly grim. The data reveals that Toronto leads the country’s biggest cities in cyclist collisions, which we find more than a little bizarre. Usually, as more and more cyclists populate a city’s streets, the accident rate drops, not rises (New York and Minneapolis are but two examples). The reason is simple: as cyclists become a predictable part of the local traffic environs, they’re in less danger of being run over. Except, apparently, in Toronto.
From the National Post:
As Toronto gears up for a debate over physically separated bike lanes, new sobering statistics show the city has among the highest rates of cyclist collisions in the country.
The rate of pedestrians colliding with vehicles also tops a chart of major Canadian cities, according to recently released statistics by the city. Data for all cities was not available.
There is a number of theories on why this is the case, but what’s important is how this information informs the upcoming debates over Rob Ford’s cycling plan. We’re particularly interested in what the implications will be for the curb-separated bike lane system that car-loving councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong wants to build.
• Toronto has country’s highest rate of car collisions with bikes, pedestrians [National Post]
• 2010 Cyclist Collision Summary [Toronto.ca]
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/toronto-leads-the-country-in-bike-on-car-collisions-wait-really/&title=Toronto leads the country in bike-on-car collisions—wait, really?&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/biking-in-toronto.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_70323" align="alignright" width="320" caption="Cycling in Toronto (Image: Commodore Gandalf Cunningham)"][/caption]
The city recently released a report about last year’s data on cyclist collisions with cars and pedestrians, and the statistics are surprisingly grim. The data reveals that Toronto leads the country’s biggest cities in cyclist collisions, which we find more than a little bizarre. Usually, as more and more cyclists populate a city’s streets, the accident rate drops, not rises (New York and Minneapolis are but two examples). The reason is simple: as cyclists become a predictable part of the local traffic environs, they’re in less danger of being run over. Except, apparently, in Toronto.
From the National Post:
As Toronto gears up for a debate over physically separated bike lanes, new sobering statistics show the city has among the highest rates of cyclist collisions in the country.
The rate of pedestrians colliding with vehicles also tops a chart of major Canadian cities, according to recently released statistics by the city. Data for all cities was not available.
There is a number of theories on why this is the case, but what’s important is how this information informs the upcoming debates over Rob Ford’s cycling plan. We’re particularly interested in what the implications will be for the curb-separated bike lane system that car-loving councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong wants to build.
• Toronto has country’s highest rate of car collisions with bikes, pedestrians [National Post]
• 2010 Cyclist Collision Summary [Toronto.ca]){kind=link}
As someone who commuted daily in Toronto via bicycle from Weston to Front Street, I can tell you it was grueling. Those hood ornaments on cars are actually sites. I felt almost daily that people were trying to run me off the road. I took the same route at the same time everyday for many years. Once when someone did manage to knock me down the other cars just honked their horns and yelled for me to get off the road. Not one person asked if I was hurt. No compassion whatsoever. I wouldn’t do it now. I like my small town living.
I ride my bike about 20 km’s roundtrip every day and i am shocked how stupid cyclists are.
Cyclist- cars are bigger than you please take extra precaution!
Most of you drive like it is CARS VS BIKES…guess who will win that battle?
drivers have to learn that its the law that a biker can “take his/hers lane”. Driving is wrong. last time I looked its $1.30+ a liter for gas. maybe Drivers should be happy that bikers are around. just think of the gas price if we all drove around in cars.
I find it funny when cyclists/drivers in Toronto duke it out. They are exactly the same people; overly aggressive and take too many chances. They just choose different modes of transportation.
Really. Bikers. Enough already. As pedestrians we have enough trouble with unruly cars, most of which follow road rules and respect pedestrians. However, most bikers pay no attention to pedestrians and do not follow rules of the road. I, and most people I know, have been terrorized by bikers who refuse to pay attention to red lights. I have also been chased down on the sidewalk – what are they doing speeding up to pedestrians? I have also have had many cyclists speed on turns and come within a hair of passing in front of me while I am legally crossing a street. Many laugh. Most just speed on. Some when they acknowledge being called out claim the light was yellow, which it was not, and as though that gives them the right to terrorize and hit pedestrians. Cyclists for the most part a menace, and enjoy being a menace. Something had to be done to keep them from terrorizing pedestrians. Licenses, high fines, and following violations suspension of cycling privileges. Enough already. Why is it that we can no longer safely walk in our city.
I’m on all sides of this debate. I am a cyclist who has been hit by a car blowing through a stop sign and I am a pedestrian who was almost hit by a cyclist blowing through a red light. Come to think of it, I was biking across Front Street when a woman with a yoga mat just blindly walked out in front of me from between two parked cars. Regardless of your form of transport, people just need to pay more attention. Idiots are idiots on 4 wheels, 2 wheels or 2 feet.