The highway between Trail and Rossland was shut down for four hours last week as RCMP reconstructionists examined the scene of a collision between a cyclist and a vehicle.
The cyclist was injured after being struck in the 1400 block of Highway 3B near Warfield on the afternoon of March 5, according to the Trail and Greater District RCMP.
First responders, including RCMP officers, BC Highway Patrol, and a team from Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue, arrived shortly after 4 p.m. following reports of the collision.
The cyclist, a 40-year-old Trail man, was riding uphill from Warfield to Rossland when he was hit by a vehicle travelling in the same direction.
He was transported to Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
Police report that he is expected to make a full recovery.
Authorities closed Highway 3B until around 8 p.m. while investigators examined the scene.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
“The highway was closed to allow Trail RCMP and BC Highway Patrol to gather evidence from the scene,” Sgt. Mike Wicentowich stated.
“We would like to thank all the first responders and civilians who assisted at the scene."
According to ICBC, when sharing the road with cyclists on highways, drivers must maintain a minimum passing distance of one metre on roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less and 1.5 metres on roads with a speed limit above 50 km/h.
Cyclists are considered vehicles and must follow the same road rules, including staying as far to the right as practicable.
Drivers must yield to cyclists at intersections and when changing lanes, check their blind spots before turning right to prevent collisions, and look before opening a car door to avoid hitting cyclists.
Cyclists must use hand signals to indicate turns.
