The District of North Vancouver is being sued by a cyclist who says the municipality’s subpar infrastructure caused him to crash and sustain serious injuries.
In a lawsuit filed in North Vancouver provincial court on Jan. 11, Steven Trerise says he was riding his bicycle down Mountain Highway in July 2021 when he hit a “depression” in the pavement, causing him to be thrown from his bike.
In the crash, Trerise suffered bruises, abrasions, scars and fractures, including a broken collarbone that is now disfigured, the claim states.
“The accident was caused by the negligence of the district, which owed a duty of care to users of Mountain Highway, including bicyclists like [Trerise], to ensure Mountain Highway was at all times in a condition that would be reasonably safe for users,” the claim states. “The district fell short of meeting a reasonable standard and was negligent in design, construction and maintenance of Mountain Highway.”
In addition to failing to properly design, build, inspect and fix the pavement, the district also failed to warn Mountain Highway users of the hazard, the claim states.
Trerise is seeking general and special damages not to exceed $35,000.
The claims have not yet been heard in court.
The district declined to comment as the case is still before the courts.
