December 15, 1999

Toronto Cycling Committee

Toronto, ON

Dear Sirs,

I am 75 years old and have always enjoyed good health. On August 13, I was crossing Eglinton Ave. at Castle Knock where I was hit by a cyclist who sped through the red light. He did not stop tho he shouted something like "Sorry" as he went on his way. By the time I made it across the street, my lower leg had swelled to the size of a football. My doctor advised the use of ice. The haematoma did not subside, however, and still in great pain, I went to emergency at Mt. Sinai on August 23. I was started on oral antibiotic there but I had to return to emergency on August 27 at which time I spent the night there and was started on antibiotic intravenously. For the next eight days I had a nurse coming daily to replenish the I.V. While at the hospital I had xrays and ultra-sound. I had one more trip to emergency, many visits to doctors. And then the skin of my leg broke, resulting in profuse bleeding. This was about September 14. Since then I have had home care, at first twice daily, now twice weekly because the wound on my leg requires the care of a nurse. (The nurses have been from St. Elizabeth's).

Luckily, I was referred to Dr. Sibbald who heads the Wound Clinic at Woman's College Hospital. It is from there that my care is directed. I have at least another five weeks of nursing care to face.

I have suffered enormous pain and inconvenience. Our health system has suffered enormous expense for my care. I've become very bike conscious and see so many bikers who totally disregard the rules of the road. Red lights, stop signs, cross walks, one way streets - none of these have any significance to these careless riders. How do you instill respect for the rules into these people? I hope that you can find some answers.

Sincerely,

(Signature on file)

Mrs. R. Margles

1104-61 St. Clair Ave. W.

Toronto ON M4V 2Y8

[N.B. The original hand-written version of this communication is on file in the office of the City Clerk]