Advocates tell cyclists to slow down and be alert, following hit and run

Two Winnipeg cyclists are warning drivers and cyclists to slow down and be alert.

A cyclist is dead after a hit and run in Winnipeg's East Elmwood area that happened around 1 a.m. Tuesday in the 900 block of Nairn Avenue.

• Cyclist killed in hit and run in Winnipeg

Police say two adult cyclists were in the eastbound curb lanes on Nairn when one of them, a man, was hit.

Police are looking fora dark-colouredSubaru with damage to the front passenger side that is believed to havebeen involved in the crash.

"It's very, very sad news," said Jason Carter, an advocate for safe cycling in the city. "As our city grows, we need to slow down."

Carter suggests cyclists wear reflective vests on top of their clothes or backpacksand equip their bikes with lights.

He also said everyone cyclists, drivers and pedestrians need to slow down.

"We're racing to get to our appointments. We're racing to get to work. We're racing to get to school. We're racing to meet somebody for coffee," he said.

"We make straight lines to get across the road so we jaywalk. Or we skip through stop signs and don't even look and see what's going on."

He said educated drivers and good cycling infrastructure are key to making people get along on the roadways.

Cyclists should pick routes with light traffic and travel on bike paths when possible, said Charles Feaver, a volunteer for Bike Winnipeg.

The organization encourages cycling and works to make Winnipeg a bike-friendly city.

"You've got to be super alert," Feaver said. "Every collision is avoidable."

Feaver said cyclists should use hand signals and make gradual movements when they're turning or switching lanes.

Drivers should leave room around the bicycle, he said.

"You can't assume that because his indicator isn't on, he's not turning. It's the same with cycling. You've got to give them room and just wait and see what's really going to happen. Don't push."

Winnipeg police are asking anyone with information about the deadly collision on Tuesday to call Traffic Investigators at 204-986-6271.