Coun. Mary-Margaret McMahon says she was not at fault for a collision that landed her in hospital Sunday morning, despite what a Toronto driver is saying.
McMahon was on a bicycle when she was struck by a vehicle just before 11 a.m. The male driver of the car has been charged with careless driving, according to Toronto police.
“The driver didn’t show any compassion or remorse (for) me and blamed me for taking over his lane,” Margaret-McMahon told CP24 Wednesday morning. “I was riding the edge, but it’s not mine or his. It’s everyone’s road.“
The Ward 32 councillor for the Beaches-East York ward was on her way to a TTC event, according to Laurie Smith, a spokesperson from the councillor’s office. Smith told CP24.com the councillor’s back wheel was struck causing her to fall on the road, onto her left side.
Smith said McMahon had been waiting at a red light at the intersection at Woodbine Avenue and Gerrard St. E. When the light changed, she started riding south when she noticed that the passenger side of a car was rather close to her.
McMahon yelled at the driver to warn him to give her distance, said Smith, but the next second, her back wheel was hit and the councillor was flat on the ground. She lay there for a few minutes unable to get up until police and an ambulance arrived about five minutes later.
Toronto police confirmed the driver was charged with careless driving, but would not release his name. Smith said the councillor felt nauseous and suffered abrasions on her left shoulder, elbow and hip. She was taken to a hospital, and given a CT scan and a temporary neck brace as a precautionary measure.
McMahon was back at city council today, calling for the sharing of roads by both cyclists and car drivers.
“We need to get the habit of mind that we’re sharing the road with all car users, but a cyclist is more vulnerable,” she said.
In the past, the councillor has advocated for separated bike lanes and a mandatory one-metre distance between cyclists and drivers.
