For the first time in his life, a 46-year-old biker who was the target of an alleged unjustified road rage incident in High Park said he is excited to be on the streets of Toronto.
Around 2 p.m. on Friday, Marcel Zierfuss claimed he was being threatened by a vehicle while cycling on Colborne Lodge Drive.
He told CTV News Toronto that the driver began yelling profanities as he approached an intersection, telling him that all bicycles should get off the road, and that their paths had not previously intersected.
“You f***ing don’t respect the road, you don’t respect the law, you never stop,” Zierfuss recounted the driver telling him. “You know, all of the things that we hear as cyclists pretty much on a daily basis.”
Zierfuss then said the driver tried twice to use his vehicle to get him off the roadby swerving towards him.
“He decided to slam his brakes on, which caused me to crash headfirst into the back of his car at speed,” Zierfuss said. “He fled the scene. I was left there bleeding on the ground.”
“It was a hit and run. It was a violent assault.”
Zierfuss said he suffered a serious concussion as a result of the incident, in addition to an injured nose, cracked teeth and whiplash. The incident was reported to police.
In a statement, Toronto police confirmed there was a report on file and that the incident is being investigated by traffic services.
No further details were provided.
While Zierfuss is recovering from his physical injuries, he says he has experienced intense anxiety since the assault. As an experienced cyclist, he said he always thought of High Park as a “refuge,” a place where he could connect with other riders.
“I’ve never had a car intentionally come in front of me and try to take me out. I’m lucky to be standing,” he said.
“It’s no longer a safe place at all for me.”
Source_ globalnews.ca
