‘Something has to be done’: Family of dead Halifax cyclist speak out on road safety

CTV Atlantic: Family of dead cyclist speaks out The family of a cyclist killed last week in Halifax is speaking out on safety concerns for bikers. CTV's Kelland Sundahl with their story.

Loresa Makonin was cycling to work during rush hour on Oct. 7 when she was struck and killed by a propane truck. Now, her family is calling for the city to make roads safer for cyclists.

“Something has to be done,” said Makonin’s sister, Rebecca. “It's not just Loresa – you can't improve dated roads, that would be the city's responsibility. Maybe more bikes lanes. I want to contact the bike coalition and see what they want done because I would never be riding on these roads. They are horrible.”

Loresa’s sisters say she was an avid volunteer, an artist, and a lover of animals. She was an experienced cyclist who biked to work every day.

“She was loved by a lot of people,” said Rebecca. “She was funny, generous.”

Loresa was the youngest of four. She was born and raised in British Columbia, but moved to Nova Scotia for art school.

She was a month away from celebrating her 50th birthday.

“She was very dear to us and very good to our mom,” said Loresa’s sister Debbie.

Flowers and a white bicycle were placed at the site of the crash following the accident.

A biker who witnessed the crash said the ordeal was very emotional.

“It just seems such a waste of a life. If the drivers would just be more careful, more tolerant, and less selfish and realize that cyclists can't keep up with them,” said the biker.

Police announced Tuesday that charges will not be laid against the driver of the truck.

The family will says they will be working with the bike coalition to improve road safety. But for now, they are planning to celebrate Loresa’s life, and remember her as a woman who lived it to the fullest.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl.