Cyclist seriously injured after hitting a pothole in Westmount

Ken Dyson suffered multiple fractures and a concussion in a crash that he says highlights the danger of pothole-ridden streets for cyclists.

Ken Dyson feels lucky to be alive after a cycling accident last week that left him with multiple injuries — and a deeper concern about road safety in the city.

“I don’t really recall exactly how the accident happened,” Dyson said. “All I remember is feeling myself going forward over my bike.”

The incident happened on Sherbrooke Street West, a busy road in the City of Westmount with four lanes of traffic and no dedicated bike lanes. Dyson was navigating the street when he struck a pothole and was thrown over his handlebars, landing headfirst on the pavement.

“I was evading a lot of potholes on the way, and I guess I eventually hit one,” he explained.

The impact left Dyson with a fractured C5 vertebra, a broken nose, and a concussion. He believes the injuries could have been much worse — or even fatal — had he not been wearing a helmet.

“Had I not been wearing the helmet, it’s very likely that I could have died because of the impact,” Dyson said. “It looked like I hit directly the front of the helmet on the pavement.”

While road safety conversations for cyclists often focus on interactions with vehicles, Dyson says the physical condition of the roads deserves just as much attention — particularly in Montreal.

“Potholes have been an issue in Montreal for years,” he said. “What needs to be done is prioritize the health and safety of the citizens, especially those doing their part to reduce traffic.”

Navigating pothole-riddled roads on a bike can be especially dangerous. Swerving to avoid one may mean moving directly into fast-moving traffic, creating a difficult scenario for cyclists.

“If the city’s not going to do something about it, or if the government is not going to do anything about it, who is?” Dyson asked. “Is it the responsibility of me to not have these injuries? Sure, I can avoid the potholes by being a better cyclist.”

In response to Dyson’s accident, the City of Westmount issued a statement to CTV News, saying: “Firstly, we would like to express our wishes for a speedy recovery to the cyclist who was injured on Sherbrooke St. West.

“The City undertakes a rigorous street maintenance and infrastructure renewal program throughout the year, including pothole repairs, sidewalk reconstruction, and asphalt resurfacing. We are committed to the safety of all road users and continuously monitor the condition of our sidewalks and road network to ensure a safe environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.”