A 26-year-old cyclist received minor injuries when she was struck by a pickup while riding her bike through a crosswalk.
The incident happened Tuesday at about 6:20 p.m. at the intersection of Wassel Way and Departure Bay Road.
According to police, a witness told them he saw the woman enter the crosswalk while the amber lights were flashing. Moments later, he saw a pickup truck, northbound on Departure Bay Road, strike the cyclist broadside. The impact threw the rider a short distance and she suffered an injury to her elbow.
The victim was attended to at the scene by paramedics and taken to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital where she was treated and later released.
The driver of the truck remained at the scene and co-operated with police.
There was no indication speed, alcohol or drugs were a factor.
The bicycle and pickup suffered little damage.
"A number of factors were at play here,” Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said in a press release. “From the driver's perspective, it was dark and wet and although the amber lights were flashing, he was unable to see the cyclist. The cyclist was not wearing reflective clothing and her bike was not equipped with reflectors or a light. She also admitted her helmet partially obstructed her side vision preventing her from checking for approaching vehicles.”
No charges are recommended against the driver, but O’Brien went on to say the incident serves as a reminder to cyclists and motorists that each has the responsibility to be seen and to ensure crosswalks are clear before proceeding through them.