Vancouver cyclist Karen Hansen is suing the City of Vancouver for putting what she considers a dangerous concrete barrier in an unlit part of the Stanley Park bike lane.
The obstacle appeared to be intended to force cyclists to make a turn but there was little signage around the obstacle, according to Hansen. A photo that Hansen took shows that there was a small painted arrow on the lane itself and a green sign with an arrow and some text right next to the barrier.
Hansen was cycling on the bike lane on Aug. 11 "when she suddenly and without warning struck an unlit, unmarked concrete barrier," she alleges in her Nov. 16 notice of civil claim.
She alleges that the incident caused her headaches, blurred vision, a concussion, cognitive deficits, an elbow injury, a soft-tissue injury, neck pain, back pain, whiplash, emotional liability, psychological injuries, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, sleep deprivation and other injuries. She also alleges that the incident has left her with an increased risk for degenerative changes, including dementia.
"The injuries have caused and continue to cause the plaintiff pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life," Hansen said in her lawsuit.
She said she is undergoing medical care and treatment and continues to bear those expenses. She has also suffered from a loss of housekeeping and home maintenance capacity, according to her lawsuit.
She is seeking an unspecified amount of money for general and special damages as well as costs.
The city, she said, is responsible for failing to make the bike lane safe for cyclists and for failing to train its respective agents, employees and contractors to plan, construct and maintain the bike path and barrier.
The city has yet to file its response to Hansen's notice of civil claim.
None of her allegations has been proven in court.
