Utility cover hazard could flip the lids of cyclists
Cyclists who use the bike lane on Rathburn Rd. need to keep a sharp eye on the road in front of them or risk a painful tumble.
Now that we’ve created cycling lanes on streets across Greater Toronto, bike riders have a bit of safe separation between them and fastmoving traffic that could mow them down.
But it pushes cyclists to the edges of the road and exposes them to whatever flaws happen to be next to the curb. And when the wheel of a bike makes contact with a collapsed storm drain or a pothole, it’s a lot more jarring and potentially dangerous than when a car passes over it.
Judith Butler knows the danger as well as most bike riders. In an email, she notes that “a smart cyclist keeps a constant eye out for deviations in the road surface along the curb and in bike lanes.
“Most abnormalities are of the sunken variety: grates and manholes, potholes and small sinkholes.
“But today’s hazard on Rathburn caught me unaware and could have caused a nasty accident. Some sort of cover, which looks like it has been newly installed or replaced, is poking up above the road surface.
“Its hazard is not evident until you are right on top of it.”
We went there and found a utility cover surrounded by what looks like some sort of rubberized cushion, on the north side of Rathburn, just east of Kipling Ave., which protrudes about two inches above the road.
Cyclists who spot it in time can veer into the traffic lane to avoid it, but it defeats the purpose of creating a dedicated lane that keeps some distance between them and vehicles.
If a cyclist doesn’t see it until it’s too late or is prevented from veering out of the bike lane by traffic beside them, they could hit it and be thrown to the pavement.
And that’s why cyclists should be listened to when they complain about obstacles in their lanes. Status: Rick Helary, who’s in charge of road operations in the west end, said he’d send someone to check it out right away and get it fixed. What’s broken in your neighbourhood? Wherever you are in Greater Toronto, we want to know. To contact us, go to thestar.com/yourtoronto/the_fixer, call us at 416-869-4823 or email jlakey@thestar.ca. Report problems and follow us on Twitter @TOStarFixer.