Poor Visibility Contributes To Accident

Dark Clothing No Light Contribute To Accident

Wearing A Helmet Reduces Injury

A bike helmet is being credited with saving a young teenager from serious injury after he collided with a taxi cab Thursday evening.

At approximately 9:30 PM, BC Ambulance and police were called to Mac’s Convenience store, located at the intersection of Norwell Drive and Departure Bay Rd for a report of a collision between a cyclist and a yellow cab.

Officers determined both the cab and the youth, age 13, were traveling in the same direction(west bound) along Norwell Drive when the taxi attempted to turn right into Mac’s parking lot . When the cab turned, it struck the bike causing the young male to fall and strike the ground. The male was not seriously injured and his mother arrived at the scene shortly after the accident.

BC Ambulance and attending officers noted the youth was wearing an approved bike helmet and believe it prevented him from more serious injury. The youth did not however,have a light on his bike and was wearing dark clothing, two factors that may have contributed to the taxi cab not being able to see him earlier.

“ The male is commended for wearing a helmet , something that seems to be lacking these days by many cyclists regardless of their age. At night it is also highly recommended that reflective clothing be worn and a light used to see and be seen” said Constable Gary O’Brien, media spokesperson for the Nanaimo RCMP.