Ontario Cycling Death Review

Saturday's Globe and Mail has a piece about the province of Ontario considering legislation for mandatory helmet use for cyclists based upon a recommendation from the provincial Coroner's Review of Ontario Cycling Deaths released in June.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-to-consider-making-bike-helmets-mandatory/article5846776/

The review makes for interesting reading regarding 129 cyclist fatalities in the province over the last six years.

http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/stellent/groups/public/@mcscs/@www/@com/documents/webasset/ec159773.pdf

It has also prompted the government of Ontario to develop a "Cycling Strategy" for public comment.

http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2012/11/ontario-moves-forward-on-cycling-strategy.html

I find the most interesting aspect of all this reporting and reports is that the media chooses to focus on the issue of mandatory helmet use over all the other recommendations put forward in the review such as improving cycling infrastructure.

One of the most striking, yet unsurprising, statistics mentioned in the review is that in 100 of the 129 fatalities, the cyclist was struck by a motor vehicle. In some cases, the cyclist contributed to the accident, in others it was the driver and, in other cases, it was due to the actions or inactions of both.

Still, this glaring statistic screams for the need for infrastructure that will enhance the safety of cyclists yet the emphasis is once again put on cyclists and the mandatory wearing of helmets.