Another cyclist struck on Sussex Drive

Ottawa cyclists are once again raising the alarm over what they sayis a deadly stretch of Sussex Drive.

Paramedics say a cyclist, 55,is fortunate to be alive after a collision Monday morning at Sussex Driveand Stanley Avenue.

The accident happeneda short distancefrom where a cyclist was killed last Septemberwhen she was struck by a bus.

InMonday's accident the cyclist came over the hill in the designated bike lane when he was struck by a merging car, police said. Paramedics rushed the man to hospital with back injuries but was released from hospital later in the day.

"He was wearing his helmet and certainly that saved him from more serious injuries," paramedic J.P. Trottier said. "Because of the impact, he flew over the hood of the car and then fell on to the ground."

This isn't the first time the intersection of Sussex Drive and Stanley Avenue, where two car lanes merge and connect with a bike path,has been identified as a safety concern for cyclists.

Melanie Harris was killed on Sept.16 when she was struck by a Socit de Transport de l'Outaouais bus in front of the Foreign Affairs building at 125 Sussex Dr.

In December, her father Jim Harris called on city staff to fix the area where the bus and bike lanes meet.

Cyclists who spoke to CBC on Monday call it a scary stretch of road.

'Very confusing for bikes and drivers'

"This is a recipe for disaster where everything is merging together very quickly and there is no room for error," said cyclist Neil Bordelay.

"It's very confusing for the bikers and drivers," said cyclist JaimeLombardo. "There are bike lanes, they disappear then they come back. Then you've got the circle. No one really knows what anybody is doing."

An Ottawa cycling advocate said the confusing confluence of road and bike lanes creates a dangerous situation.

"In a situation where there are multiple decisions happening at the same time, there is an increased risk of accidents," said Michael Powell of the city's cycling advisory committee.

A study expected this month will examine dangerous spots for cyclists and ways to make them safer. There are also plans to redesign the bike lanes in that area.

No charges were laid in Monday's accident.