March 11, 2011 (Hamilton, ON) – Following crash injuries sustained at the 2010 Hamilton Cycling Club’s Good Friday Race, Mississauga cyclist Christopher Uy is suing both that club and and its governing body, the Ontario Cycling Association (OCA) reports the Hamilton Spectator. Uy and his partner, Christine James, are suing the two groups for $20 million, alleging that the race was allowed to proceed under unsafe conditions.

Uy, who is now 32, was apparently riding at more than 40 kilometres an hour when the pack he suddenly bunched up and he went over the handlebars as he braked. He sustained a head trauma and brain injury, ending up in hospital for three and a half months; his prognosis is now uncertain. Uy, formerly a head chef, has not worked since the crash. James cited financial hardship among the consequences of the crash.

The suit cites four specific points where the club and OCA were allegedly negligent.

• the two organizations permitted an unreasonable amount of participants in the race such that the race course posed a danger due to congestion;
• failed to properly plan and organize the race course when they knew or ought to have known that the race course posed a risk of injury or harm to participants;
• failed to implement and adhere to international standards for the organization and operation of the race;
• failed to warn or adequately warn Christopher Uy of the potential danger of participating in the race;

Hamilton Cycling Club vice-president Henry Dudko, reached by The Spectator, declined to address the lawsuit but promised changes to the 2011 edition of the race. Dudko claims, however, claims that these changes have nothing to do with safety and are designed instead to make the race faster.

Read more in the Spectator here.