The intersection of Bank Street and Riverside Drive, where a cyclist was hit and killed, will be redesigned with the safety of cyclists and pedestrians in mind, but not for another five to 10 years.

In the meantime the city councillor for the area wants to see an advance traffic signal for cyclists and pedestrians installed.

A 56-year-old female cyclist was killed after being struck by a cement truck at the intersection near the Billings Bridge Shopping Centre Tuesday evening.

Police are investigating after a 56-year-old cyclist was struck and killed Tuesday evening. (CBC)

Cyclists navigating the intersection on Wednesday said it is a dangerous one for cyclists.

"I don't feel that it's safe for bicycles, that's for sure, because it's just too congested. There's four lanes of traffic and the roads aren't wide enough," said Dan Barnhart, who cycles through the intersection four times a week.

Barnhart said he always walks his bike across Bank Street, instead of following the bike path, because of the heavy traffic.

Cyclist Patrick Chen described the intersection as "terrible."

Cyclists prepare to cross Bank St. and Riverside Dr. on Wednesday. (CBC)

Chen said he thinks automobile and bike traffic is increasing there and that the city should consider an underpass for cyclists.

City councillor for the area, David Chernushenko, called the intersection "a really challenging area."

Chernushenko said relief is on the way, but not for another few years, when the city redesigns and rebuilds Bank Street, from Billings Bridge to Walkley Road.

"It's definitely a place where we will want to move from just having painted lines on the road where we can fit them, and none at all in the other sections, which is how it is now, to actually having a proper minimum width, designated bike lane," said Chernushenko.

City councillor for the area, David Chernushenko called the intersection cyclist's least favorite place to be. CBC

In the meantime, he warns everyone to be defensive when driving, cycling and walking.

"Expect the worst," he said.

Police continue investigation

Police are continuing to investigate the Tuesday evening collision. They said the cyclist was travelling south on Bank Street.

Lafarge Canada Inc., the company that contracted the cement truck that hit the cyclist, said it is "distressed" by the situation.

The company's communications director, Regan Watts, said the truck involved in the fatal collision had just emptied its load at Lansdowne Park and was on its way back to the company's Bearbrook Road plant, travelling on a route designated by the city.

"To know that a family has been forever changed by this tragedy is devastating. The loss is heart-wrenching, the impact lasting. Today, and for many days to come, our hearts will be with the family and friends as they face the unimaginable," said the company in a press release.

It said it is "taking every necessary step to establish all of the facts and will co-operate fully with the authorities as they continue their investigation."

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call police at 613-236-1222, ext. 2481 or phone Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS) or toll free at 1-800-222-8477.