Richmond RCMP have arrested a 26-year-old driver and impounded his car after a cyclist was found dead by the side of the road.
In the early hours of Monday, police were called to the 4400 block of No. 5 Road after residents reported finding a cyclist struck.
The 64-year-old Richmond man was found on the sidewalk by residents - north of Highway 91, near McNeely Drive - but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Police then discovered a license plate at the scene and were able to track down the alleged driver and vehicle involved.
The 26-year-old driver, a Richmond resident, was taken into custody near his home and his vehicle has been seized for investigation.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the victim had not been identified on the request of his family
and no charges have been laid as the incident is still being investigated, according to Richmond RCMP.
There's no indication, as of yet, that alcohol, drugs or speed were factors in the collision, and the driver is co-operating with police.
Meanwhile, Derek Williams, Richmond cochair of local cycling group HUB - which promotes and argues for better cycling facilities - said he usually avoids that particular stretch of No. 5 Road at all costs due to the "crazy" speed of the cars. And, although not knowing the
full facts of Monday's tragedy, Williams - who sits on the City of Richmond's Active Transportation advisory committee - intends to now push the need for a bike lane on or near that section of No. 5 Road.
"I'm very aware of that section of 5 road. It's a disgusting road to cycle on and I only use it if completely necessary," said Williams, who doesn't own a car and cycles everywhere.
"We have some decent cycling lanes on the other side of the city, but there is nothing out there, even close by, for me to use."
Williams said speeding in general is "totally out of hand" in Richmond, but it's especially "ridiculous" in the area where the cyclist was killed. "Residents in the area complain to the police all the time, and they come out and ticket drivers, but it doesn't do much," he added. "The bigger and wider the road is, the faster they get. If the cyclist doesn't hold a perfect line, they are in trouble."
Anyone who has information can call Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212 or if they wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
