'You are continually worried about getting hit': London cyclists calling for change, organize safe ride to honour student killed in hit-and-run
A number of London cyclists are calling on the city to implement more safety measures on the roads after a 29-year-old student was killed while riding his bike earlier this month.
Jibin Benoy was killed on the morning of Sept. 18 while riding across the city after a shift at a downtown London, Ont. eatery.
On his ride home, he was struck and killed on Hamilton Road around 4:40 a.m.
The driver fled the scene.
A bike stands in the spot where Jibin Benoy was struck while riding his bike home, as seen on Sept. 27, 2022. (Kim Knight/CTV News London)
Cyclists are planning to meet at the scene of the incident Tuesday evening, then will cycle to London City Hall to ring their bells and make some noise, advocating for safer streets.
“We’ve been asking for a network of protected bike lanes. On Hamilton Road there’s essentially no infrastructure even though it’s a popular route for cyclists,” says David Isaac, an avid cyclist and lawyer in London who plans to participate in Tuesday’s ride.
Issac adds, “If there had been protected bike lanes there this probably wouldn't have happened. We’re tired of this happening, some change needs to happen.”
During a vigil for Benoy last week, Jamieson Roberts had said, “We may not have known him personally, but we know him because we’ve experienced it.”
Roberts, who is also participating in the ride, then told CTV News London that he knows several cyclists who have been hit by a car in the city.
Dozens of cyclists gathered outside in the rain on Sept. 27, 2022 for a safe ride to city hall to honour Jibin Benoy, who was struck and killed while riding his bike on Sept.18, 2022 in London, Ont. (Jenn Basa/CTV News London)
“The average experience of cycling in London is one where you are continually worried about whether you’re going to get hit, when you are not in one of the few spaces where we have protected infrastructure,” he said.
In London, protected bike lanes can be found on Dundas and Colborne streets.
As of Tuesday, London police say they do not have an update on this investigation.
Police say an investigation has found the suspect vehicle may be a dark-coloured sedan with significant damage to the front end, hood and windshield.
Investigators are asking anyone who was on Hamilton Road between 4:30 to 4:45 a.m., or anyone who has dash cam video that could help, to contact the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.