OTTAWA -- An Ottawa councillor is reminding motorists to use the turn signal and check blind spots after he was nearly right-hooked by a truck turning in front of him on his bike ride to Ottawa City Hall.
Jeff Leiper posted video Thursday morning of his ride along Laurier Avenue approaching Bank Street.
In the video, a box truck can be seen turning right in front of Leiper as the Councillor was entering the intersection in the bike lane. Leiper was able to stop quickly.
"If I haven't seen the driver's eyes, I prepare for a quick stop. I was ready for this one as a possibility this morning," said Leiper on Twitter.
"But I do have a favour to ask of drivers: please signal your intended turns. A shoulder/mirror check would have avoided this: a signal would help me be ready."
Leiper notes the driver did stop, adding he's hopefully they will remember to check their blind spots all the time now.
"This was one of the closer calls that I've had, which is why I posted it. It's relatively common along the Laurier bike lanes, the people will turn right in front of you," said Leiper during an interview on Newstalk 580 CFRA Thursday afternoon.
"Often you can see it develop and if you're an experienced cyclist you know to kind of expect it and be ready for the unexpected. My concern is that as more and more people are out there cycling, less experienced cyclists might not know what to look for."
Leiper urges all drivers to check their blind spots, follow the rules of the road and signal when turning.
The Kitchissippi Councillor suggests Ottawa has done things to improve safety along the Laurier Avenue bike lane, including advanced cycling lights.
"That final step of actually barring right turns off of Laurier may be ultimately what we need to do to keep people safe," said Leiper
Between Nov. 12 and 15, Ottawa police reported vehicles had struck three pedestrians and a 10-year-old cyclist.
