19-year-old motorcyclist killed on Symons Valley Parkway in Evanston; speed suspected
A single-vehicle crash Friday afternoon on Symons Valley Parkway N.W. has renewed calls from residents for traffic safety improvements that have been pending for years.
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A 19-year-old resident of Evanston was killed Friday afternoon when his motorcycle hit a curb on Symons Valley Parkway N.W. near Evanston View N.W., lost control, and struck a fire hydrant. Calgary Police Service is investigating excessive speed as a contributing factor. No other vehicles were involved and no one else was injured. The road was closed between Evanspark Circle and Evanston View N.W. for several hours before reopening Friday night.
The crash has intensified frustration in the community over long-standing safety concerns. Mike Stiles, president of the Evanston Creekside Community Association, said the association has been raising the alarm for years. "Speed is always a factor in this community, it has been since day one. It's been getting worse and worse with the surrounding communities opening up (and) more access in and out of Evanston," Stiles said.
The ECCA received approval two years ago to pilot photo radar vehicles on Symons Valley Parkway but could not proceed because there's no designated parking space for the vehicles along the road. A traffic signal was approved for the Symons Valley Parkway and Evanston View intersection prior to Friday's crash, but residents were told it could take up to a year to install.
Stiles raised these safety concerns directly with Ward 2 Councillor Jennifer Wyness. "We have been bringing this to the city's attention for years with nothing getting done. Now we have a fatality here . . . and a lot of our residents did see what happened and the aftermath. It was gruesome, it was traumatizing to those people," Stiles said. He added: "The old cliche is you have to wait for a tragedy to happen before something gets done — it's not good enough."
Postmedia sought comment from Wyness but had not heard back at the time of reporting. A memorial with flowers and a wooden cross has been established at the fire hydrant.
Six motorcycle drivers have died on Calgary roads so far this year, according to police — already surpassing last year's total of five. The Evanston Creekside Community Association's safety director, Bobby Kooner, shared a post Friday morning urging residents to drive safely as kids return to school. Anyone struggling with the impact of witnessing the accident can contact the Calgary Police Service Victim's Assistance Unit.
When will the traffic signal approved for Symons Valley Parkway and Evanston View be installed?
What enforcement measures will the city pursue if the signal installation takes the full year residents were told?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Who died in the crash on Symons Valley Parkway?
A 19-year-old resident of Evanston was killed when his motorcycle hit a curb on Symons Valley Parkway N.W. near Evanston View N.W., lost control, and struck a fire hydrant on Friday, September 4, 2026.
What safety improvements have been delayed in Evanston?
The Evanston Creekside Community Association received approval two years ago to pilot photo radar vehicles on Symons Valley Parkway but could not proceed due to lack of designated parking space for the vehicles. A traffic signal was approved for the Symons Valley Parkway and Evanston View intersection but could take up to a year to install.
