At its last meeting on May 15th, 2006 the Toronto Cycling Committee (TCC) discussed the topic of truck safety in relation to cyclists. One of the issues discussed was what measures the City of Toronto could take to prevent the type of accidents where cyclists from fall under the wheels of a large truck or transport trailer. (See previous article) At the end of that discussion the TCC made several recommendations to the Works Committee of Toronto City Council. You can see those recommendations here Item 12a - Truck Safety in the City of Toronto.

On Wednesday June 7th, 2006 the Works Committee will consider the TCC's Recommendations along with a staff report on the issues. You can see the staff report at the following link: Large Trucks and Cyclist/Pedestrian Safety. The one recommendation coming out of the report is that "City Council reiterate its request to Transport Canada that it develop national design standards and regulations for side guards on large trucks." Passing legislation requiring side guards on trucks is the responsibility the Canadian Federal Government. Having the City of Toronto add its voice to those of cyclists who have been submitting petitions asking for this regulation would support the efforts of Olivia Chow M.P. Trinity-Spadina who is planning to introduce a private members bill on the subject of truck side guards. (See previous article)

There may be other things that the City of Toronto can do which are under its jurisdiction to try and reduce the number of collisions between trucks and cyclists. One proposal is that the City equip its own fleet of trucks with side guards. The staff report stated that "Given their excellent truck safety record, Fleet Services has advised that it is difficult to justify the expense of equipping City trucks with side guards. It would be far more effective if national design standards and regulations were developed for side guards for the different truck types" since it would have to come up with the designs and standards on its own and then do the testing and installation. This is why the report recommends that the City Council request that Transport Canada develop national standards and regulations.

The TCC recommended other measures that may be under the jurisdiction of the City of Toronto and asked for reports on the feasibility of requiring these measures. These include: audible warning system for trucks making turns (similar to the audible system used when backing up); more turns signals on the side of trucks; cameras and mirror systems to eliminate the blind spots on trucks; and deflectors on the front of trucks (also known as an air dam or cow catcher); as well as side guards. The TCC also asked for a report on the following measures to reduce the possibility of collisions with Trucks and Cyclists such as right turn restrictions for trucks on popular bicycle routes; and restricting the size of trucks in the downtown core. Once the information from these reports comes back the TCC and the Council can start working on a plan to reduce the number of collisions between large trucks and cyclists and reduce the severity of injuries when collisions do happen.

Addressing this problem will require a number of approaches. Safer truck design with side guards, safer road design such as adding bike lanes and developing restrictions on large trucks in areas with a risk of collisions, and safer vehicle operation with training and education of large truck drivers and cyclists. Advocates for safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians have to work on all fronts to ensure all levels of government undertake the measures under their respective jurisdiction to reduce the number of collisions, injuries and fatalities.

Martin Koob
tcc-rep@tbn.ca