Toronto’s Biking community calls for cyclists’ safety after Indian student dies in collision with pick up truck

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TORONTO: Calls for the safety of cyclists are growing in Toronto after a 20-year-old Kartik Saini, an Indian student from Haryana was hit and dragged by a pickup truck while he was crossing a pedestrian crosswalk on a cycle in Toronto.

Saini as well as his bike, was pinned underneath the pickup truck when it struck him and went north on Yonge Street, the statement added. Kartik was declared dead at the scene despite attempts by emergency personnel to free him and revive him.

A statement from the police said, a white Ford F250 pickup truck was travelling westbound on St. Clair Avenue East and turned right to northbound Yonge Street at the same time, a cyclist was crossing eastbound in the pedestrian crosswalk on the north side of the intersection. The driver of the Ford pick-up struck the cyclist and continued northbound on Yonge Street with the bike and cyclist lodged underneath the vehicle. The cyclist, a 20-year-old man, was pronounced deceased at the scene

Despite the fact that the victim has not yet been named by the police, he has been identified by his cousin as Kartik Saini. The deceased’s cousin Parveen Saini told CBC Toronto that the victim had arrived in Canada from India in August 2021. As per the cousin, Kartik’s family is based in Karnal, Haryana.

Kartik was enrolled at Sheridan College. The college tweeted, “The Sheridan community is deeply saddened by the death of Kartik Saini. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, peers and professors.”

Calls for more road signs and safety of cyclists have grown in the city after Saini’s death. He is the second cyclist to pass away in a car accident since September. In September, a van killed a 44-year-old man who was riding an e-bike near Downsview.

“A cyclist was killed today in Toronto. An awful view into the reality of road violence that wages on. Sending love, feeling rage/sadness,” wrote The BIking Lawyer on Twitter. “Was the driver ticketed for making a right turn onto Yonge from St. Clair which is prohibited at the time the crash occurred (no rights 4 to 6 pm Monday to Friday)?” 

Another Twitter user The Biking Veterinarian (@thebikingvet) said, “I’m sorry, Kartik Saini, that our civic “leaders” and urban planners failed you. You should have had many more years and more adventures ahead of you.”

A group called Advocacy For Respect For Cyclists organized a ride in Kartik’s honour on November 30.

The family of Saini is still in disbelief over the 20-year-old’s death.

Giving interview to various media outlets Ravi Saini, Kartik’s cousin said, “It’s definitely a huge loss for our family.” Saini said his cousin moved from India to Canada in September 2021 to continue his education.

“We are not able to digest this. We still believing he is alive…. So this is the most painful thing.”

Police said no charges have been laid and the investigation remains ongoing.

A memorial bike ride was organized by community members at Matt Cohen Park. “It’s important that no cyclist rides alone,” said Joey Schwartz, an organizer with Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists. “(We will) install the ghost bike and from that point we will do a moment of silence.”