Memorial bike ride for Saskatoon woman killed while cycling elevates calls for improved safety measures
Police say no charges expected in fatal collision that killed Natasha Fox
On Wednesday, Saskatoon cyclists rode in memory of Natasha Fox — who was killed after being struck by a cement truck while on her bike last week.
Fox, 33, was a mother of two children, a teacher with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and an accomplished athlete. Her husband described his partner as someone with a wicked sense of humour who put her heart and soul into everything she did.
Shoshana Green co-organized the event on Wednesday and said she needed to do something to honour the teacher's memory.
"I'm just 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 by and that I assume other members of the community are feeling as well."
WATCH | Cyclists take to the streets in memory of Natasha Fox:
Green said the response was overwhelming.
The memorial ride began at 4 p.m. CST at The Bowl on the University of Saskatchewan campus. The group rode to Wiggins Avenue, west on College Drive — which is where Fox was hit — across University Bridge, down around the loop and back up the bridge to Wiggins Avenue. There was also a moment of silence for Fox.
A CBC reporter on-scene estimated that there were about 300 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 cyclists as we honour her memory and then just grieve together 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 6 Coun. Cynthia Block brought forward a notice of 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, an update on the city's active transportation plan and for city staff 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 motion to 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 to hear 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.
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.
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With files from Liam O'Connor, Leisha Grebinski and Kendall Latimer