Widower says wife’s death while cycling in Saskatoon was ‘entirely preventable’

The widower of a Saskatoon cyclist who died in a collision nearly a year ago says his wife’s death could have been prevented, and he’ll continue to call for changes to better protect cyclists.

Natasha Fox, 33, died on May 24, 2023 after she was hit by a cement truck while cycling at the intersection of Wiggins Avenue and College Drive. Her two young children, who were travelling behind her, were not injured.

In early February, Saskatoon police said no criminal charges against the truck driver would be laid.

During a meeting of Saskatoon’s Transportation Committee on Tuesday, Tod Fox said his wife’s death was “not an accident,” emphasizing that it could have been avoided.

“Natasha’s death was entirely preventable,” he said.

“Let’s face it – nothing has changed here in Saskatoon since Natasha’s death.”

While police have not released details about Natasha’s death, her husband said it happened as she was travelling along Wiggins Avenue and was about to cross College Drive.

“Natasha approached the intersection and a walk sign was illuminated. Knowing my wife, Natasha would have been reassured that she and our boys were safe to proceed through the intersection,” he said.

Fox said his wife then looked over her right shoulder to be able to see their children and to usher them along the sidewalk.

“Following the curve of the sidewalk meant that her field of vision shifted, (and) she wouldn’t have been able to see that truck. Natasha entered the intersection believing it was safe to do so, at which point she was struck,” he said, his voice breaking.

Committee considers intersection changes

During a presentation, Saskatoon transportation director Jay Magus outlined 14 recommended made in a third-party road safety review report commissioned after Natasha’s death, dedicated to the intersection of College Drive and Wiggins Avenue.

Magus said the review included background data, collision statistics, traffic counts and public inquiries, along with observations made at various times of the day. Magus said “conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles were observed” during visits to the site.

“To address this, the consultant recommended the installation of a leading pedestrian interval, or an exclusive pedestrian phase,” he said, meaning that pedestrians would get an extra period of time to cross before vehicles are given a green light.

Other recommendations included increasing the volume of the pedestrian “chirp,” reducing the curb radius in some areas to slow right turns and increase pedestrian visibility, and installing pedestrian ramps. The recommended changes would cost the city $49,250.

None of the changes recommended for that particular intersection include cyclist initiatives, such as creating a painted “bike box” for cyclists, or limiting right turns for drivers on red lights.

“This would be better addressed through a citywide policy restricting right turns on red,” Magus said.

According to studies, bike boxes – a painted, designated area at the head of a traffic lane – would be better suited to lower-traffic streets and slower areas.

Calling it “distressing,” Fox wondered why the city wouldn’t implement a bike box or other cycling-related changes.

“I think we need some courage to find some solutions and not hide behind bureaucracy,” he said. “The recommendation not to proceed with a bike box sounds like an excuse.”

However, Magus noted that if a bike box were installed, the driving lanes and bike lanes would be narrowed on Wiggins Avenue, bringing vehicles closer to cyclists.

A number of recommendations from the 82-page report passed unanimously, and will now be considered by Saskatoon city council.