A Waterloo Regional police officer on bike patrol was treated in hospital for minor injuries after being struck by a vehicle late Thursday night.
The female officer was out on patrol when she was struck from behind by a van in the King and Frederick area of Kitchener shortly after 11 p.m.
Both the officer and the driver were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The van driver told police he didn't see the officer.
It's just the latest incident as more cyclists head out onto the roads in the warmer weather, increasing the risk of collisions.
Roger Braun, co-owner of Kitchener's Braun's Bicycle, says "You have the right to be on there, but when it comes down to a two tonne car they are going to win every single time."
The month of June generally marks a spike in bicycle-vehicle collisions, as cyclists return to the roadways.
Braun says it's important to pay attention, "Cyclists need to be aware of their surroundings, and what's happening, what's coming, stop lights, stop signs. They can't take things for granted and they can't take for granted that a car will stop and let them go."
In Toronto police are cracking down on cyclists who don't obey the law, from running red lights to riding in the sidewalk.
The move comes after a pedestrian was seriously hurt and rushed to hospital after being struck by a cyclist who ran a red light.
Statistics for 2010 and 2011 are not yet available, but the Region of Waterloo says there were 105 collisions involving cyclists in 2009. Police say most crashes are the result of distracted riding or driving.
Waterloo Regional police say while they aren't launching a public campaign, they are always on the lookout for unsafe cycling situations.
