One of two cyclists who were seriously injured in Prince George on Monday while training for the Cops for Cancer charity event has died, according to police.
A statement from the Prince George RCMP says Shane Kelly succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.
Mounties said Monday that the injured cyclists were an RCMP officer and a community member, later confirmed to be Kelly.
“Shane was an outstanding human being,” said Karin Piche, a friend and fellow cyclist in the north-central B.C. city. “He made everyone feel special.”
His death was announced the same day yet another rider was hospitalized following a vehicle incident Friday, and has prompted calls for improved safety conditions for riders and pedestrians in the north-central B.C. city.
“It’s something that we think about every time that we get on our bike, right, whether we’re going to come home,” Piche said.
“There’s so many people questioning whether they want to continue to ride.”
Cops for Cancer is an annual riding event that pairs civilian riders with RCMP officers to raise funds for cancer research.
The two cyclists were riding on the side of the road, training for the event , when they were struck in a residential neighbourhood near the intersection of Ospika Boulevard North and McRae Avenue around 9 a.m. Monday.
Witnesses to the aftermath of Monday’s incident described debris scattered across the road, including a mirror from the vehicle that struck them.
A police search followed, which included a helicopter, and one man was taken into custody.
The RCMP officer was also seriously injured, police say.
Piche said Kelly was an active supporter of multiple cycling-based events, many of which supported charitable organizations, and described him as “a great leader.”
In a written statement, Prince George Mayor Simon Yu said, “This tragedy has deeply impacted our community,” especially as it happened as Kelly was training for yet another fundraising effort.
His commitment to helping others reflects the best of our community spirit,” Yu said in the statement.
B.C. Public Safety Minister Garry Begg also weighed in, writing that Kelly “leaves behind a legacy of volunteerism, having participated in other cancer-related fundraising efforts.”
Laura Nelson with Cops for Cancer wrote, “We are all heartbroken by this news. Shane was a caring and enthusiastic team builder from the very beginning.”
“Shane’s teammates are devastated by the loss of one of their own in such tragic circumstances. We offer our sincere condolences and unwavering support to Shane’s family and friends.”
Piche said the incident had also highlighted the dangers presented by cycling, noting that Kelly was an experienced rider who used safety equipment, and that he and the other rider were on the side of the road when they were struck.
Many riders she has talked to this week, she said, had decided to start training indoors over safety concerns.
Those fears were underscored by the news that yet another biker was hospitalized Friday, this time a 17-year-old who was riding just outside the downtown core.
Police say the youth was taken to hospital with “serious injuries” after being struck near the intersection of Winnipeg and 11th Ave at around 9 a.m. Friday.
The driver in that case remained on the scene and was co-operating with investigators, the RCMP said.
The incidents come just as the city launches a review of its active transportation plan, which it describes as an effort to make it easier and safer for people to get around the community on modes of transportation other than vehicles, including cycling, walking and newer e-scooters and bikes.
As part of the initiative, the city has asked people to contribute to an online map highlighting problem areas where they have been made to feel unsafe. As of Friday afternoon, it is dotted with dozens of notes with participants sharing close calls or tragic incidents they’ve witnessed or experienced.
Piche said she hopes the week’s tragedies will make more people think about the rules of the road and the changes needed to improve safety for everyone in the community.
“I think this incident could bring to light the need for change,” she said.
Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the hit-and-run that resulted in Kelly’s death.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who was in the area and may have video surveillance or dashcam footage of the vehicle’s driving behaviour before and after the incident is asked to call the Prince George RCMP non-emergency number at 250-561-3300.
Those with condolences or well-wishes are being asked to bring them to the Prince George RCMP detachment at 455 Victoria Street, which will be passed along to the family when they are ready to receive them.
