Nanaimo RCMP says the motorcyclist has been identified from a video that appears to show the rider push a cyclist, but the motorcyclist claims he was just reaching out to touch the cyclist on the shoulder.
The incident occurred on Aug. 2 around 8:15 p.m. at the intersection of Granite Park Road and Departure Bay Road.
A 78-year-old cyclist told police that a motorcyclist pushed him, resulting in a fall into oncoming traffic.
RCMP says the cyclist only suffered minor injuries.
The motorcyclist has since been identified, and RCMP attended his home on Aug. 3, and when the officer approached the home a man approached and said “can I tell you what happened?”
“He went on to explain that he touched the cyclist’s shoulder to avoid a collision and did not know the cyclist had fallen until he had seen the video on social media,” RCMP said in a release.
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RCMP then said the man told the officer he had already called police earlier that day, explained what happened and provided his name and phone number.
“We understand that this incident has caused concern in our community, and we would like to thank the public for their assistance in identifying the motorcyclist,” Const. Sherri Wade, media relations officer with Nanaimo RCMP, said in a news release.
The file is still under investigation, Wade says.
Colleen Sparks, executive director with Capital Bike, said there is no reason that motorcyclists should tap cyclists on the shoulder.
“When cycling, no one would expect this, and it might cause even the strongest cyclist to react and potentially lead to a loss of balance. Motorcyclists should pass anyone riding with space and only when it is safe to do so,” Sparks said in an email to CHEK News.
“Touching someone riding a bike when passing could lead to an accident that is life altering for the rider. We have to wonder what the motorcyclist was thinking?”
READ ALSO: RCMP investigate after cyclist seemingly pushed across traffic on video in Nanaimo
With files from CHEK’s Jeff Lawrence and Ethan Morneau