Memorial bike ride for Saskatoon woman killed while cycling elevates calls for improved safety measures

On Wednesday, Saskatoon cyclists rode in memory of Natasha Foxwho was killed after being struck by a cement truck while on her bike last week.

Fox, 33, was amother of two children, a teacher with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and an accomplished athlete. Her husbanddescribed his partneras someone with a wicked sense of humour who puther heart and soul into everything she did.

Shoshana Greenco-organized the event on Wednesday and said she needed to do something to honour the teacher's memory.

"I'mjust a member of the community who felt that they wanted to do something to commemorate this horrible accident and the loss of a life," Green said.

"I wanted to take some sort of action because of the feeling of powerlessness that I was overwhelmed byand that Iassume other members of the community are feeling as well."

WATCH| Cyclists take to the streets in memory of Natasha Fox:

Community members ride to remember woman killed cycling in Saskatoon

1 year ago

Duration 1:59

Hundreds of people came together in Saskatoon Wednesday afternoon for a memorial bike ride in honour of Natasha Fox.

Green saidthe response was overwhelming.

The memorial ride began at 4 p.m. CST at The Bowl on the University of Saskatchewancampus. The group rodetoWiggins Avenue, west on College Drive which is where Fox was hitacross University Bridge, down around the loop and back up the bridge to WigginsAvenue. There was also a moment of silence for Fox.

A CBC reporter on-scene estimated that there were about300 people at the event.

Grace Onu, a University of Saskatchewan student,was one of the cyclists at the memorial. She said anyone could have been hit.

"It could have been me. Because ... since the weather got better, I have been commuting [by bike]to school on a daily basis. So it could have been anybody," said Onu.

"I just felt it was great to come out and just to stand along with other cyclistsas we honour her memory and then just grievetogether as a community."

Green said cyclists and community members are calling for improved bike safety measures including more protected bike lanes, signage and other infrastructure in the wake of Fox's death. The city has made no commitments for immediate change.

City council to consider bike safety

During Saskatoon city council's meeting on Wednesday, Ward 6Coun. Cynthia Block brought forward a noticeof motion covering several aspects of bike safety.

Her motion asks council to pay for a third-party road safety audit at the intersection of College Drive and Wiggins Avenue, anupdate on the city's active transportation plan and for citystaff to provide a budget option for an annual road safety audit program.

Block also asked council to waive the notice meaning the motion would be considered on the spot rather than at the next council meeting and discuss the audit and how to finance it immediately.

Ward 7 Coun. Mairin Loewen was among those who voted against the waiver, pushing the motionto the next meeting.

"It's not that I don't see this as urgent," Loewen said,"But I want to ensure that when these motions are before us that we actually have the ability to consider as comprehensive information from admin as we possibly can, as well as tohear feedback from the community."

No charges expected in collision

The Saskatoon Police Service said in an emailed statement Thursday the truck driver isn't facing charges and police don't expect to lay any.

LISTEN| What can be done to make streets safer for cyclists:

Saskatoon Morning12:07Saskatoon cycling community grieves death of a cyclist, what can be done to make commuters safer on city streets

The death of a 33 year old cyclist in our city has shaken many people in this community. Candice Lipski talks with three cyclists: Nancy Broten, Tyler Rittinger and Cynthia Hernandez to get their thoughts on the tragedy and what can be done to make cycling safer in the city.

The members of the Collision Analyst Unit are continuing to investigate the collision. Officers will consider the mechanical fitness of the cement truck, the email said.