Two cyclists were sent to hospital in separate incidents over Canada Day long weekend, after drivers of other vehicles crashed (in one case literally) into them.
Just before noon on Monday, a speeding motorcyclist injured a man huffing and puffing up Cypress Bowl Road on his bicycle.
The motorcyclist ditched his Ducati as he tried to negotiate around the hairpin turn at the first lookout. The out-of-control sport bike slid right into the rear wheel of bicycle, crunching it in thoroughly and throwing the rider to the ground.
Onlookers called 911 and the victim was taken to hospital with bruises, abrasions and a possible concussion. The motorcyclist suffered minor injuries.
At the scene, West Vancouver police officers issued the motorcyclist a ticket for speeding in excess of the 60 km/h limit. Police estimate the damage to the two bikes together is about $10,000.
On Sunday, just after 7 a.m., North Vancouver RCMP were called to a crash at the intersection of Marine Drive and West 16th Street.
Police say the driver of an eastbound Nissan SUV attempted to turn left from Marine onto 16th and drove right into the path of the oncoming cyclist, causing the 27-year-old bicycle rider to collide with the vehicle’s passenger side. The cyclist was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Some of the injuries to his face and head could have been avoided had he been wearing a helmet, according to Cpl. Richard De Jong, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman.
That crash is still under investigation and police are hoping more witnesses will come forward to report what they saw.
Tips can be called in to the North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS
