Cars hit 1,083 Toronto pedestrians, cyclists since June

An urban planner says Toronto is facing a "public health epidemic," after1,083 pedestrians and cyclists were struck by cars since June.

Carshit 542 pedestrians and 541 cyclists over112 days an average ofnearly 10 collisions a day.

"Regardless of who's at fault, something has to change here," Kyle Miller told CBC's Metro Morning Friday..

Thosenumbers arehigher than for the same time period last year, when cars struck 474 pedestrians and 525 cyclists, according to figures from Toronto police.

Need for change

Miller, who works atan urban design and planning firm located in downtown Toronto called Urban Strategies,saysthat if 1,000 people in Toronto weremugged or stabbed over a four month period, people would be "clamouring for action."

He says that so many accidents point to a need forinfrastructure changes.

"If cyclists are cycling the wrong way maybe it means we need a bike lane in that location," he said.

"If pedestriansare jaywalking maybe it means the blocks are too long andwe need crosswalks."

Police officer points to human error

However, Const. Clinton Stibbeof Toronto Police traffic Servicessays all collisions are ultimately caused by human mistakes and risky behaviour.

"Those mistakes are being made by individuals, not by infrastructure," he told CBC News.

"People in the community haveto play a part in theirown safety."

Hit by a car on Queen St.

Miller himself was hit by a car while cycling in early September. He was riding across from city hall on Queen Street, when a driversideswiped him.

Although he escaped with only a bruise and some soreness, many others aren't so lucky.

"The big metal box always wins against the soft, soft body," he said.

Miller says Toronto should be looking for inspiration fromcities that makeall modes of transportation a priority.

He suggests a policy of adding bike lanes whenever other roadwork is happening, to reduce installation costs.