Quebec coroner issues 3 recommendations after 2014 cyclist death

A Quebec coroner is calling for better safeguards at the municipal, provincial and federal levels after the death ofa cyclist who was struck, dragged and crushed by a transport truck in November 2014.

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CoronerJeanBrochu concluded thatSalimAoudia, 43,died of multiple trauma after he was hit and dragged by a truckin Montreal's Griffintown near the Bonaventure Expressway.

Aoudia had pulled up on his bicycle alongside the truckjust as the truck started to make a right turn on the corner of Nazareth and Wellington streetson Nov. 27, 2014.

The coroner found that Aoudia was trapped under the truck's wheels and dragged a block before a witness in the car behind flagged the truck driver down to get him to stop.

Aoudia was declared dead on the scene.

Recommendations for 3 levels of government

Brochuconcludesthat Aoudia's death, while tragic, was accidental.

The report doesissuethree recommendations to increase bike safety.

Brochusuggeststhe City of Montreal put more so-called "bike boxes"at intersections painted areas designated for cyclistsin front of the stop line for motorized vehicles,which give cyclistspriority at red lights.

The coroner also recommends that the cycling advocacy groupVlo-Qubec and the SAAQ, Quebec's automobile insurance board, continue to make cyclists aware of the dangers of blind spots on large trucks.

The report also saidTransport Canada should considermaking sideguards mandatory on trucks.

Coroner Paul Dionne had made a similar recommendation in 2014 following the death ofcyclist Mathilde Blais, who was crushed under the back wheel of the transport truck