Toronto NDP MP Olivia Chow met on Monday with the family of a cyclist killed earlier this month to push for a law that would require side guards on large trucks.

The issue made headlines earlier this month when 38-year-old Jenna Morrison died after she was clipped by a truck and pushed under the back wheels on Dundas Street West at Sterling Road.

Her death triggered an outpouring of grief from Toronto cyclists, who held a memorial ride in her honour.

Chow said the cost of side guards — which are designed to prevent such accidents — is not high.

“It’s around $1,000, depends on the size of the truck, at the most it’s $2,000," said Chow. "And because it makes the truck more aerodynamic, it will save fuel. So you can actually get money back from within 10 months to two years."

Trucking group opposes side guards

But the Canadian Trucking Alliance disagrees. On their website, president David Bradley said there are better ways to improve road safety for cyclists.

"While we fully understand the emotions that would be cause for some people to support mandatory side guards, we feel the solution lies elsewhere, in increasing awareness and education and planning for bike lanes," he said.

The issue is far from new. Back in 1998, a Toronto coroner's inquest recommended the federal government look into the feasibility of mandatory side guards.

Toronto police say there have been 966 Collisions between motor vehicles and cyclists so far this year in the city.