Constable Caroline Chevrefils questions a trucker
on Fairway St. in the Lachine industrial park yesterday,
looking for leads in the death of Robert Brisson.
photo : John Mahoney

Last bike ride of season proved fatal

Police seeking leads in hit-and-run on Lachine side road

Sidharta Banerjee

A passionate bicyclist, Robert Brisson decided last week it was time to put the bike away for the season.

He told his friend Pierre Hutsebaut he would make one last trip from the Côte de Liesse Rd. offices of Peak Centre for Human Performance, through Lachine and over the Mercier Bridge to his home in Ste. Catherine.

Despite the cold and the rain, Brisson declined a ride. Next week, he assured his friends, it would be time to use the car.

Brisson never made it home.

About 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 20, as he pedalled through Lachine's industrial area, Brisson was struck and killed by what police believe was a tractor-trailer.

Brisson, a 43-year-old father of two, well known in Quebec cycling circles, was killed instantly.

His bicycle was found a short distance away.

Witnesses in the area had spotted an 18-wheeler with a bicycle lodged in its wheels.

Montreal police set up a command post yesterday near Fairway and François Lenoir Sts. in the hope someone with information would provide help.

The driver of the truck has not come forward.

"It was going to be his last day commuting by bicycle," said Hutsebaut, who knew Brisson for nearly 20 years.

"It's unbelievable."

Brisson's wife, Sylvie, had been waiting for him at home.

Finally, alter numerous calls to his cellphone, a Montreal police officer responded and gave the family the news, Hutsebaut said.

Hutsebaut first met Brisson when the latter opened a cycling store in Laval's Fabreville district. Brisson had raced competitively before going into business.

Brisson made a return to competitive cycling about three years ago. He was named the 2003 Canadian track champion and 2005 Quebec track champion.

Recently, Brisson worked as a coach at the Peak Centre but was also coaching at the Vélo club du sud-ouest in Châteauguay.

Brisson "was always ready to volunteer his time," said Hutsebaut, a former head of the Canadian Cycling Association.

"He was generous, intelligent and nice, passionate about cycling, but above all easy to work with and always calm. He never lost his cool."

Bob Fransham, who recruited Brisson for the Châteauguay club, said that soft-spoken manner came across in his coaching.

"He was inspirational. When he rode the bike, you could see his feeling for it - like a hockey player who dances on his skates. He will have started a number of young racers off on the right foot."

Brisson, whose funeral is to be held today in St. Constant, was known to be attentive and always aware of his surroundings when on his racing bike.

"Robert trained young kids for years and he was used to being on the road. He always told me about safety," said his brother, Martin. "For sure, he never saw the truck. He would have got out of the way."

Robert Brisson is remembered as an
inspirational, calm coach for young athletes.

Friends of Brisson have started raising money for his two children. The fund is being administered by Peak Centre Montreal. People can send a donation or visit the Peak Centre at 6982 Côte de Liesse Rd., Montreal, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Friday. Call 514-341-7325.

Anyone with information about the Oct. 20 hit-and-run in Lachine is asked to call Info-Crime at 514-393-1133.

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