WARNING: This story contains video some may find distressing.
Montreal police (SPVM) confirmed Friday that it has opened an investigation after a video on social media showed a cyclist plowing into a four-year-old girl who was crossing the street to catch her school bus.
Police spokesperson Sabrina Gauthier told CTV News that officers are trying to locate the cyclist to gather more information about what happened.
The video has prompted calls for cyclists to be more attentive on the road since the school bus’ flashing stop sign was extended.
The incident happened on Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal’s Plateau neighbourhood.
The video shows the girl looking to her right for oncoming cars before being struck by the cyclist, who was riding down the bike lane from the left.
Both the cyclist and the girl fall to the ground before getting up on their own.
Local resident Mayer Feig posted the video to social media after a friend sent it to him and wrote in a post this was not the first time he has seen this happen in the neighbourhood.
The Quebec Highway Safety Code states that, like cars, cyclists must stop at least five metres away when a school bus stop sign is extended and flashing.
Drivers who are caught violating the law can face fines starting at $200 and nine demerit points, while cyclists could be fined $80 or more.