It's rare that a cyclist will die on Vancouver's roadways and bike paths. But on Saturday night Amy Hurn, a 32-year-old science teacher at Van Tech secondary, died of her injuries after she was hit by a car earlier in the week on March 27.
Hurn was the head of the school's science department and an executive member of the Vancouver Secondary Teachers' Association, which is a local of the B.C. Teachers' Federation. VSTA president Debbie Pawluk said Hurn was well-liked and dedicated.
A P.E. teacher at the East Side school said Hurn was very popular with students and was committed to extracurricular life at the school.
The family has requested privacy.
An online comment posted March 28 about Hurn at Rate My Teachers said she is "an extremely kind teacher as long as she gets the respect she deserves. Clear notes, organized teaching, interesting and won't think twice about helping you [outside] of class."
A post from April 2 reads, "Ms Hurn is an enthusiastic teacher and helped me a lot to complete the heavy Biology 12 course. She also cares about the environment... she rides her bike to school a lot! I'm glad I had her as my grade 12 teacher."
The remainder of the posts mourn her loss. "was a wonderful teacher and made science a joy. she will be missed."
This is the city's first cycling fatality since 2010 and is only the third recorded death since 2008 when a man was struck going downhill on Main Street. Two cyclists died on Toronto streets last year, including a pregnant yoga instructor in one high-profile accident. Ontario's coroner announced it would investigate an increase in cycling deaths across the province.
From 2006 to 2010, ICBC reported a total 1,691 crashes and 1,695 injuries involving cyclists in Vancouver. Four people died. (Across the province, reported crashes averaged 1,310 annually and in a similar five-year period, 48 cyclists died.)
According to the City of Vancouver, more than 3,500 cyclists commute to work downtown-each day. And, daily, about 60,000 bike trips are made around the city.
As rare as they may be, these deaths remind us that the cyclists who pedal the urban landscape are vulnerable and unarmoured-especially in comparison to cars, buses and trucks. But a cyclist's individual responsibility to heed the rules of the road and ride wisely can't be overstated.
When she was struck last Tuesday morning, Hurn was heading north on Windsor Street, which was chosen as a bike route because it's close to Knight Street. She set out to cross East 12th Avenue and was hit by an eastbound car just before 7:30 a.m. She was wearing a helmet.
The intersection is equipped with a crossing light and police don't know if the cyclist or the motorist had the green-lit right-of-way. The driver wasn't hurt and neither alcohol nor speed is considered a factor.
The death was very likely preventable.
VPD investigators are still looking for witnesses who may have seen the collision. They can contact the Vancouver Police Collision Investigation Unit at 604-717-3012.
Twitter: @MHStewart
