Ottawa emergency crews rushed to the scene of a serious collision on Haig Drive Thursday morning after a cyclist was struck by a vehicle and critically injured.
According to Ottawa police and paramedics, the crash occurred in central Ottawa and left the cyclist in critical condition. The cyclist was transported to a local hospital for emergency treatment.
What We Know
Details remain limited in the early hours following the collision, but Ottawa Police Service and paramedics confirmed they responded to the scene on Haig Drive. The circumstances leading up to the crash — including the direction of travel, speed, and road conditions — are still under investigation.
Haig Drive runs through the Hog's Back and Mooney's Bay area of central Ottawa, a corridor that sees a mix of commuter and recreational traffic, including cyclists navigating connections between riverside pathways and residential neighbourhoods.
Cycling Safety in Ottawa
The collision is a sobering reminder of the ongoing safety challenges facing cyclists on Ottawa roads. The city has been working to expand its cycling infrastructure in recent years, adding protected lanes along several major corridors, but many streets — particularly in older residential and transitional zones — still lack dedicated cycling infrastructure.
Ottawa's cycling advocacy community has long pushed for better separation between cyclists and motor vehicles, particularly on roads that connect popular multi-use pathways to the broader street network.
According to city data, collisions involving cyclists are unfortunately not uncommon during the warmer months, though serious and critical-injury incidents represent the more severe end of a broader road safety picture.
What Cyclists and Drivers Can Do
As spring riding season ramps up in Ottawa, police and safety advocates typically remind both cyclists and motorists to stay alert:
- Cyclists should wear helmets, use lights and reflective gear, and stay visible at intersections.
- Drivers should check blind spots carefully before opening doors and give cyclists a full metre of space when passing.
- Both should avoid distractions and observe posted speed limits, especially in areas with mixed traffic.
Anyone who witnessed Thursday morning's collision on Haig Drive and hasn't yet spoken with police is encouraged to contact Ottawa Police Service.
This is a developing story. Our thoughts are with the injured cyclist and their family.
Source: CBC Ottawa
