Tragedy Focuses Attention on Share the Road

"

Mariah Vizi, November 2, 2005 - The message of an event Saturday to raise awareness about safety concerns for cyclists on the region's highways was reinforced this weekend by news of a fatal accident.

Share the Road involved a bike ride from the Sherk Complex in Leamington to Kingsville and back. The event was organized to raise awareness about the dangers bicyclists face on local highways. Over 100 riders took part without knowing that within hours the message they were trying to get out would be especially meaningful.

At 6:20 p.m. Sunday a local migrant worker, Alberto Tableros, was killed when the bike he was riding was struck by a motorist on Highway 3 near the intersection of Graham Side Road. Joao Paulo Chicharro, 28, of Leamington reportedly hit Tableros as Chicharro was headed westbound in a 2000 Dodge Dakota. Chicharro was not injured in the accident. Tableros, 46,was killed on impact, a report from the local Ontario Provincial Police stated. OPP Const. Deb Mineau said Tableros' bicycle was not equipped with reflective lights. Charges against Chicharro are not anticipated.

News of the accident reached organizers of the Share the Road bike ride. Tom Omstead said the incident proves that the danger to cyclists on highways is significant.

"We organized this ride to raise awareness and get public support for this issue," said Omstead's wife, Sue, who has accompanied Tom on many cycling trips. "Many of the places we have visited to cycle have a paved bike lane and this area with its long biking season could be a major attraction for cyclists."

Omstead said that he doesn't place the blame on cyclists or on drivers for accidents. Both have been found to be at fault. However, some minor changes could prevent more tragedies, he said. Omstead said that one of the initiatives that the Share the Road ride was meant to highlight might have saved Tableros' life "” reflective lights.

John Suta, the owner of The Bike Stop in Blytheswood, was at the Share the Road ride. He has a supply of red flashing lights that, when attached to the back of a bicycle, increases its visibility.

"These lights sell for about $13, but I am selling them for $5 and many of today's riders are donating them back for the use of migrant workers," said Suta.

Alberto Acosta, Consul in Charge at the Mexican Consulate in Leamington, was in the midst of contacting the Tableros family on Monday morning.

"We are concerned and we need to gather authorities, farmers and workers to give our cyclists better security on our roads," said Acosta. "On the fifth of August something similar happened. A van hit a worker by the name of Rosales and he was injured so badly that he is still unable to work."

According to the Ontario Road Safety Annual Report, between 1998 and 2003 there were 68 fatalities and more than 12,600 injuries to bicyclists across the province.

"Now, we are in the process of collecting signatures for our petition," said Omstead about his attempt to have a designated bike lane, and Share the Road signs posted on local roadways. "The next step will be to approach our local community officials requesting that they help us do something to improve the safety of our roads for cyclists."

Omstead said that the Share the Road riders had contacted the County of Essex and the Municipalities of Kingsville and Leamington for support, but at the time of the ride had not had a response.

"