A cyclist has died this morning while riding a bike along the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway just before 7 a.m. RCMP were forced to close the westbound lanes of parkway and remain at the scene. Ottawa Police are directing traffic on the parkway at Onigam and Slidell streets, that's at Lemieux Island just west of Parkdale Avenue.

It appears a Capital Taxi van was involved and collided with the cyclist.

The cyclist was reported dead just before 7:10 a.m. RCMP have identified 40-year-old Junfeng Wu of Ottawa as the victim.

RCMP Corporal John Graziano says the cyclist was hit when he was trying to cross Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway.

"The cyclist was travelling south to north in the east side of the intersection,"

"The vehicle involved was travelling westbound on Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway."

The collision happened in the northeast corner of the intersection. The cause is still under investigation and it's not known who was at fault.

"It's undetermined who had the right of way with the signal light system," said Graziano.

The President of the taxi company Coventry Connections Marc Andre Way, issued a statement:

"Today’s accident involving a cyclist is very sad. .  We are waiting for information from the driver involved and the investigators to share some details of the accident. We wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the cyclist. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the cyclist and the driver of the taxi at this time.   The only thing that matters today is that someone lost their life in a tragic accident."

The news hit Ottawa's cycling community hard.

For cyclist and bike fitter at Bushtukah, Jesse Jarjour, the crash is a grim reminder of the risk for riders on the road.

"The more news like this I hear, the more I afraid I am to be on the road," said Jarjour.

"When something like that happens, you get a text from your parents, like be careful out there."

Jarjour rides throughout every season, and says riding in the winter ups the risk factor.

"For me that might mean choosing a bike path that takes longer versus going on the direct route," said Jarjour.

There is a bike path that runs parallel to Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway but today it was covered in snow.

Police say road safety is a two-way street.

"You should give them a wide berth and hopefully the cyclists also have proper winter tires and are obeying the rules of the roads," said Graziano.

RCMP are cautioning drivers of winter conditions and are reminding them of the following:

  • The speed limit on the parkways is 60 km/h
  • Drive according to roads and weather conditions
  • Keep safe distance behind other vehicles
  • Slow down and give yourself extra time
  • Clear snow and ice from your vehicle
  • No cruise control
  • Pay attention and anticipate your next move
  • Sharing the road is everyone's responsibility

RCMP did not incdicate who was at fault or if any charges will be laid.

Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway was reopened by 3 p.m. Friday.