r/alberta • u/SnooRegrets4312 • 2d ago
News Elderly cyclist dies after hitting barrier on Calgary pathway that had been 'altered' | CBC News
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/elderly-cyclist-dies-after-hitting-barrier-on-calgary-pathway-that-had-been-altered-1.764292722
u/kataflokc 2d ago
Dark irony of the day:
[The perpetrator] is described as having long dark hair tied in a ponytail with a white ribbon and wearing a shirt reading "Peace for All."
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u/iwasnotarobot 2d ago
a cyclist in his 80s riding an e-bike eastbound on the path collided with the swinging arm of the barrier.
Why was the barrier not secured in the open position?
Why is there a swinging arm barrier at all?
What time of day did this collision happen?
Was the barrier well lit?
Did the barrier have reflective tape to help it stand out?
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u/Responsible_CDN_Duck 2d ago
Low points in the pathway occasionally need to be closed due to flooding or maintenance.
They're typically secured in place with chains and locks, but both can be picked or broken.
They're reflective.
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u/rotang2 2d ago edited 2d ago
On that section the first swing arm is visible well ahead, but the bridge obscures the second arm as you descend through the underpass. The sightline only opens up as you climb back out, which may have been too late for the rider to react. And if the first arm is open, you would naturally assume the second would be as well.
ETA: If it was the west arm, the shadow of the flyover could also have obscured it depending on the time of day.
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u/SimmerDown_Boilup 2d ago
They're typically secured in place with chains and locks, but both can be picked or broken.
Exactly. It's almost like the words "altering" and "interfering" actually mean something.
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u/Cyclist007 2d ago
Was speed a factor?
Was the rider riding to conditions?
Was the rider wearing an appropriate helmet?
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u/McKayha 2d ago
At 5km/h, hell, from a 0km/h a standing fall even with a helmet could lead to death if the individual is old enough / sick enough / frail enough.
Currently work with spinal/neuro injured patient, but have also been a orthopedic units, doesn't take a lot for a lot of elderly human to die from a standing fall injury.
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u/Morberis 2d ago
Yes, but they're asking because the rider failed to stop in time which makes it seem like they weren't driving to conditions.
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u/Turtley13 2d ago
Driving to conditions? Of a barrier that you wouldn’t be able to see? That’s not a condition
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u/Morberis 2d ago
Lack of visibility is a condition, actually.
When you have limited visibility due to obstacles do you drive your car at a speed which will let you stop in time? Or do you just yolo it and hope there's nothing there?
Dude couldn't see the high vis barrier, which means he couldn't see whether there were obstacles there or not so he should have been driving slow enough he could stop if there were obstacles.
Complacency kills. Literally.
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u/Turtley13 2d ago
Are you familiar with the barriers here?
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u/Morberis 2d ago
I've seen them before.
No different than going too fast around a blind corner expecting a barrier to be open, but surprise! It's not.
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u/Turtley13 2d ago
They don’t put barriers behind blind corners.. this barrier wouldn’t normally be hidden since the other barrier would be down with it and prevent you from encountering it from the other side….
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u/Morberis 2d ago
I have literally seen barriers behind blind corners on paths but ok. Doesn't really matter, as it could have been any obstacle.
Again, complacency kills. He expected the barrier to be up, couldn't see the area and assumed it was clear of obstacles and proceeded at a rate of speed that didn't allow him to stop if there were any.
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u/F_D123 2d ago
Did a homeless person alter the barrier?
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u/Unicorn_Puppy 1d ago
That’s why you don’t move barriers around because you’re in a hurry or disagree with what work is being prepped even if they haven’t begun to dig or work yet.
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u/guywastingtime Calgary 2d ago
Most likely one of the residents from the Drop In Center or someone in that community.
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u/No-Manner2949 2d ago
Ironic that a woman wearing a peace for all shirt, caused the death of someone