Cyclist killed after falling off Vancouver sidewalk

Vancouver police are investigating the death of a 42-year-old woman, whowas riding a bicyclealong the sidewalk on W. 12th Avenue when she fell into traffic and was struck by an SUV.

The tragedy unfolded Monday afternoon shortly before 2 p.m. PT between Alder and Spruce streets, as thecyclist was making her way along the south side of the busy traffic corridor.

Police say she somehow fell into the roadway,and was struck by an SUV that was travelling east in the curb lane.

Witnesses said the cyclistappeared to have a head injury andwasn't moving. Denise Quesnel, who livesnearby, sawresponderstending to the woman on the road.

"I just saw her on the side. A paramedic was, like, holding her neck," she said.

The woman diedin hospital.

Police say the 32-year-old woman who was driving the SUV in Monday's incident was shaken, but unhurt.She isco-operating with investigators, who are also asking anyone who observed the cyclist before the collision to contact them.

Thedeath was similar to another fatal accident on theStanley Park Causeway accident in May, in whicha 61-year-oldwoman fell off the sidewalk and into the path of a transit bus while riding her bike.

• Passenger describes 'horror' of B.C. bus collision with cyclist

That accident spurredcycling advocates to petition for safety improvementsto the raised sidewalk, which is a designated shared pathway forcyclists and pedestrians.