Toronto cyclist allegedly targeted with homophobic slurs, ran off road by motorist
The lawyer for a Toronto cyclist who claims they were run off the road after being targeted with homophobic slurs has penned an open letter to city council, criticizing the recent increase to the city’s police budget and calling for improved bicycle infrastructure.
The alleged incident, which occurred on Jan. 21, was captured on video and posted on social media.
“A cyclist was targeted by a motorist, first with homophobic slurs and then run off the road on Bathurst Street. The cyclist crashed and sustained a head injury as a result,” the letter, written by attorney Dave Shellnutt with The Biking Lawyer LLP, reads.
“An eyewitness caught the driver’s licence plate as he sped off and confirmed to police that the driver had intentionally swerved into the cyclist.”
The video appears to show the cyclist turning into the right hand lane on Bathurst Street, seemingly attempting to avoid a driver.
Moments later, a vehicle appears to pull up beside the cyclist, causing them to crash and fall over onto the sidewalk. The vehicle is then seen speeding away.
The letter states that seven days after the incident was reported, the Toronto police officer assigned to the case got back to the cyclist advising them that the driver had been charged with “not allowing you to have the lane.”
But Shellnutt says that police “did not find that a collision occurred” and therefor no “proper” motor vehicle accident report was created.
“But for the intentional act of the motorist using their vehicle to hit and/or run our client off the road, this cyclist would not have had to take evasive measures and subsequently crashed into the curb,” he writes.
“From the video & witness evidence it appears that additional charges should have been laid against this dangerous motorist. Including: Intentional Act of Violence/Assault, Pass within 1 metre, Careless Driving Causing Bodily Harm, and Fail to Remain. None of these charges were laid nor was any comment from the officer provided about the hate speech.”
Toronto Police Service (TPS) did not immediately respond to CP24’s request for comment.
“As lawyers for countless cyclists injured intentionally by motorists who are rarely charged/under charged, it is astonishing to see the acts of violence on the TTC used to justify expanded policing and police budgets in the midst of the TPS budget being debated by council,” the letter reads.
“We see an endless stream of violence on our streets with none of this performative mobilization of the police force used by TPS and Mayor Tory to justify budget increases.”
The letter goes on to say that the solution to road violence against cyclists is the construction of additional protected infrastructure such as the Yonge Street bike lanes, automated ticketing and investments into mental health supports.
“We need bold leadership to address systemic issues of violence and inequity in our society, not more police,” the letter reads.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.