Cyclist was reportedly forced out of a designated bike lane before he was hit in North Vancouver

NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Safety concerns over a bike lane in North Vancouver are being raised, after a cyclist was hit by a dump truck on Sunday.

It happened at about 1:45 p.m. on West Esplanade. The 55-year-old North Vancouver man died at the scene.

There are reports suggesting the cyclist was forced out of a designated bike lane into traffic. However, the RCMP say the cause of the collision is still under investigation.

The bike lanes are painted, not separated and we are hearing calls for that to change after yesterday's incident. — Ash Kelly (@AshDKelly) January 28, 2019

People in the city’s shipyard district say speeding vehicles and red light runners are major issues along that route.

Both the vehicle and bike lanes are busy east-west connectors. And one man says the routes have only gotten busier with construction in the area over the last few years.

“Even the tractor trailers … they just go by here like a whizz.”

He’s been eating breakfast in the neighbourhood for 15 years and is often disappointed by drivers in the area.

“If you look at the people going by, the speed limit here must be about 50 or 60km/h. I bet some of them are doing 90 or 100.”

The man joins a chorus of people calling for better cyclist infrastructure, following Sunday’s incident. The bike lane in the area is sandwiched between parked cars to the right and moving vehicles to the left.

Meanwhile, the BC Cycling Coalition says Sunday’s incident is one of the reasons the groups has been asking the provincial government to “dramatically increase” funding so cities can upgrade bike lanes.

This one of the main reasons why we have been recommending that the BC Government dramatically increase funding for cycling infrastructure to enable municipalities to upgrade bike lanes. So far over 6,300 signatures: https://t.co/Z2JykXV9xO — BC Cycling Coalition (@bccycle) January 28, 2019

If you witnessed Sunday’s collision, you’re asked to call North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311.