An exchange between a cyclist and motorist in Vancouver turned into a physical fight this week, demonstrating that tensions between the two groups simmer in the city.
The two men disagreed over the use of a bike lane at Dunsmuir and Burrard streets, Sgt. Randy Fincham of the Vancouver police confirmed to The Huffington Post B.C. in an email Monday.
"Allegedly, the cyclist attempted to damage the driver’s car, after the cyclist was cut off by the driver, and the two men became involved in a physical altercation," wrote Fincham of the Friday afternoon run-in.
Someone named Lucille Austero posted photos she took of the fight on Facebook. She said her friend Edward was the cyclist involved in the altercation. Austero alleges: "The first question the police officer asked Edward, before he was allowed to make his statement, was 'why weren't you in the bike lane?'"
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Austero's photos are, according to a statement by police, going to be sent to investigators.
"A number of photos have been distributed on social media depicting the final moments of the physical altercation," the statement said. "This is unfortunate, as the photos appear to paint an incomplete picture of the event. Police take these incidents very seriously, and the photographs will be forwarded to investigators to ensure all aspects of the investigation have been exhausted."
Officers on the scene looked into the behaviour of both men and decided there was not enough evidence to request criminal charges against either of them, Fincham said. But Austero claims her friend was pretty hurt.
"Edward's shoulder is badly sprained, his skin and clothes are ripped and his bicycle needs minor fixing," Austero wrote on Facebook. "Be aware that the driver in these photos is a danger to fellow cyclists and is still at large."
Fincham said Edward was driven to the hospital by police, adding, "Both men were provided with advice on how to avoid similar conflict in the future."
The two men disagreed over the use of a bike lane at Dunsmuir and Burrard streets, Sgt. Randy Fincham of the Vancouver police confirmed to The Huffington Post B.C. in an email Monday.
"Allegedly, the cyclist attempted to damage the driver’s car, after the cyclist was cut off by the driver, and the two men became involved in a physical altercation," wrote Fincham of the Friday afternoon run-in.
Someone named Lucille Austero posted photos she took of the fight on Facebook. She said her friend Edward was the cyclist involved in the altercation. Austero alleges: "The first question the police officer asked Edward, before he was allowed to make his statement, was 'why weren't you in the bike lane?'"
Story continues below slideshow:
Austero's photos are, according to a statement by police, going to be sent to investigators.
"A number of photos have been distributed on social media depicting the final moments of the physical altercation," the statement said. "This is unfortunate, as the photos appear to paint an incomplete picture of the event. Police take these incidents very seriously, and the photographs will be forwarded to investigators to ensure all aspects of the investigation have been exhausted."
Officers on the scene looked into the behaviour of both men and decided there was not enough evidence to request criminal charges against either of them, Fincham said. But Austero claims her friend was pretty hurt.
"Edward's shoulder is badly sprained, his skin and clothes are ripped and his bicycle needs minor fixing," Austero wrote on Facebook. "Be aware that the driver in these photos is a danger to fellow cyclists and is still at large."
Fincham said Edward was driven to the hospital by police, adding, "Both men were provided with advice on how to avoid similar conflict in the future."