OPP to share bike collision stats at Renfrew OVCATA meeting

The OPP in Renfrew County have been collecting statistics on cycling collisions that they will be sharing with the public at a November 2 meeting of the Ottawa Valley Cycling and Active Transportation Alliance (OVCATA) at 7 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain House restaurant in Renfrew (409 Stewart St.).

As a result of a discussion at the organization's annual meeting in October, OVCATA contacted the OPP the Renfrew detachment of the OPP to find out how safe, or dangerous, cycling is in the County. In response, the detachment has pulled together research by the OPP that summarizes and analyzes all reported vehicle collisions with bikes from 2012 to 2017 in Renfrew County. There were 42 in all.

The OPP will have one of their knowledgeable members at the meeting to discuss the research findings and their implications with OVCATA members.

"We are delighted with the research the OPP have done at our request and at his willingness to share the information with the public," said OVCATA co-chair Ish Theilheimer. "We expect that this information will lead to some really interesting discussion, and also further action in the interest of public safety."