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UPDATED: Police seek witness to Lions Gate cycling fatality

West Vancouver Police are still looking for witnesses after a fatal cycling accident on the Lions Gate Bridge Sunday afternoon.

West Vancouver Police are still looking for witnesses after a fatal cycling accident on the Lions Gate Bridge Sunday afternoon.

A 52-year-old North Vancouver man died after falling from his bicycle while riding north on the east sidewalk of the bridge.

The man was cycling over the bridge with his wife when the accident happened at about 12:30 p.m. Const. Jeff Palmer of the West Vancouver Police Department said the victim struck a cable support buckle as he fell on to the sidewalk and broke his arm. There was also damage to the victim's helmet.

Ambulance crews and firefighters raced to the scene and the man was rushed to hospital but died a short time later.

Police don't yet know which of the man's injuries proved fatal and whether those were connected with the fall or not, said Palmer. The B.C. Coroner's Service is investigating the actual cause of death.

The man's wife told police she was cycling some distance behind her husband when she was passed by another cyclist shortly before the accident. She said her husband fell from his bike after the cyclist passed him.

Another witness to the accident also reported seeing the man fall as the other cyclist passed him.

Palmer said it isn't clear whether the cyclist clipped the victim as he passed.

Police are hoping to speak with other witnesses as well as the other cyclist - who hasn't been identified - to clarify the circumstances around the accident.

Palmer said while police have received some statements from the public, officers would like to get more information.

The cyclist is described as a white man in his 40s, who was wearing a helmet, sunglasses and riding clothes. He also had earphones in his ears. Palmer said it is possible the cyclist - who didn't stop after the accident - wasn't aware of what happened after he passed by.

A year ago, a 61-year-old North Vancouver woman was struck and killed by a West Vancouver transit bus on the Stanley Park causeway during Bike to Work Week.

The cyclist was heading downtown on the sidewalk when she lost her balance and fell into traffic.

Following that accident, the provincial Ministry of Transportation committed to safety improvements for the causeway.

Surveying work on the project was conducted this spring. Eventually the public will be asked to comment on any proposed changes.

Cycling advocates have urged the province to consider a sidewalk barrier to prevent cyclists from falling into traffic, as well as a wider sidewalk.

Any changes will have to be approved by the Vancouver Parks Board.