Demands for road improvements after tragic cycling crash in Saanich

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WATCH: Police say a 42-year-old Calgary cyclist who collided with a van in Saanich Tuesday isn’t expected to survive. April Lawrence reports.

It is a busy and windy rural road that also happens to be a popular cycling route.

On Tuesday that road was the site of a tragedy when a 42-year-old Calgary man lost control of his bike at Prospect Lake Road and Munn Road and collided with a Shaw Cable van.

READ MORE: Calgary cyclist not expected to survive his injuries from crash in Saanich

“He was rushed to hospital, he is not expected to survive his injuries at this time,” Saanich Police spokesperson Sgt. Jereme Leslie said. 

Police said the cyclist was riding down Prospect Lake Road when he lost control on a sharp curve and slid under the van heading northbound.

He was pinned under the vehicle and had to be extricated by emergency crews.

Crash analysts said it doesn’t appear the van driver did anything wrong.

“He’s very shaken up, he’s quite distraught, we have offered him counseling services,” Leslie said. 

The cyclist was part of a group of seven visiting from Alberta on a cycling trip ? Prospect Lake was their first ride.

Chad Gottfried rides the route frequently and said the section can be challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with it.

“It’s a dangerous corner if you’re not careful and if you’re not aware it can come up to you pretty fast, and it wouldn’t take much to lose your line and wipe out,” he said.

Because of the hills, he said it’s also easy to pick up speed quickly, both for cyclists and motorists.

Area residents want the municipality to do something about it.

“I’d like to see a stop sign or some kind of insurance that people would slow down or encourage them to slow down but coming up Prospect and coming down Prospect,” Laura Fanning said. 

One Saanich Councillor says they’re working on creating safer options in problem areas like this one.

“Identifying alternative corridors, trails where cyclists and pedestrians can travel safely off the major thoroughfare,” Councillor Dean Murdock said. 

Any improvements will come too late for the family of the 42-year-old Calgary man.

They have flown to Victoria to be with him.

April LawrenceApril Lawrence

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