Father of cyclist killed in crash calls for more safety training

CTV Kitchener: Cyclist's father speaks out The father of a young woman killed while cycling in Waterloo says kids should get more education in bike safety. Nicole Lampa has the story.

A Waterloo man whose daughter died while cycling last week says he wants to see all kids given more instruction on bike safety.

Nineteen-year-old Sharon Yoo was pronounced dead in hospital after her bicycle collided with an SUV on Laurelwood Drive in Waterloo.

According to Waterloo Regional Police, Yoo had biked right into the path of the SUV after failing to stop for a stop sign.

Samuel Yoo, an avid cyclist himself, says he’d talked to his daughter about safe cycling practices.

“Telling them what to do and (them) doing it is two different things,” he said in an interview.

Yoo describes his daughter as an artist who could be quiet, but was caring and often put others’ needs before her own.

He says he now wants to volunteer to help spread the word about bike safety, hoping other young cyclists will take his message about the dangers of cycling seriously.

“I’ve seen so many people that are not actually obeying the law,” he said.

Peter Dedes, a cycling advocate based in Kitchener, wants to see bike safety training made mandatory in Ontario’s schools.

With more children choosing not to drive, he says, education about the rules of the road can slip through the cracks.

“We all have parts to play in keeping vulnerable road users safe,” he said.

“I think we really need to bake into the curriculum a bike safety program.”

Yoo also wants to see helmets mandatory for all cyclists, saying wearing one may have saved his daughter’s life.

Currently, helmets are only required in Ontario for children. In several others provinces, the law stipulates that all cyclists must wear helmets.

A visitation for Sharon Yoo will be held Tuesday evening at the Erb and Good Funeral Home in Waterloo. Her funeral is scheduled for Wednesday.

With reporting by Nicole Lampa