Ohio Cyclist Ticketed After Falling
Aug 2, 7:49 PM (ET)
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - A northwest Ohio man’s fall off his bicycle left him with a bruised leg, a big hospital bill and a ticket from police. Police fined Melvin Surprise III, of Toledo, because he was riding his bike on a sidewalk when he was struck by a pickup truck pulling out of a parking lot.
City law says anyone 15 and older can’t ride a bike on the sidewalk. Violators face a $93 fine.
Surprise, 22, pleaded innocent to the charge in Toledo Municipal Court on Monday. He plans to fight the citation, saying the law discriminates against adult cyclists.
He was riding his bicycle on a sidewalk along a heavily traveled street on July 22 when he was hit.
The driver, Michael Garvin, 17, was not cited. Police said a trailer park and large vehicle parked nearby created a blind spot. “I never even saw him,” Garvin said. “The bike literally appeared out of nowhere.”
Lt. Kevin Keel, who heads the police traffic bureau, said a citation should be filed when one person’s negligent action causes an accident. “If the officer can determine fault, we strongly suggest they file charges,” he said.
To add to the injury, Surprise was taken to Toledo Hospital as a precaution and billed $800 because he is unemployed and does not have medical insurance.
Surprise!!!, 22, pleaded innocent to the charge in Toledo Municipal Court on Monday. He plans to fight the citation, saying the law discriminates against clown cyclists.
I was once hit by a woman while I was IN A BIKE LANE traveling east, she was in a Caddy STS going west…swerved to avoid a squirrel and instead hit me. I went through the windshield falling to rest partways in the back seat…she sued ME…her car insurance never did anything (at the time I was a foster child and the state as my guardian did not pursue the matter).
Time two…
I was in the cross walk on my bike…a 92 year old man in a Grand Prix GTP hit me - he was going the WRONG WAY down a one way when he it me…he was ticketed and his insurance got me a new bike.
Time three
I was STOPPED in the parking lot of a hospital (in the grass no less) waiting for a group ride to head out…about 25 of us…a man still drunk from the night before lost control of his car hitting me and my bike…he was arrested and his insurance paid for my bike.
Time four
I was in a parking lot of a church when a guy honked and yelled at me to move…I told him to go fuck himself, at that point he hit the gas and hit my rear wheel causing me to crash…he then got out of his car so I could kick his ass (bad), drag him into the church and call the police. He was arrested and charged with assult with a deadly weapon…his insurance paid for my wheel…and he was an employee of the church where he was fired for his actions. He was in a fight with his wife just before he ran into me (literally)
Time 5
Truck passing me on a country road…came to close hit me with a mirror and I crashed. He was the nicest guy I have ever met, drove me home, sent cards, had his insurance guy call me, and follows up about twice a year to this date (5 or so years later) to see what races I am doing…no harm, no foul.
hmm. I think the moral of your stories is never to hang around parking lots… aside from sidewalk cyclists, I also hate goofballs who ride against traffic…
I generally do not ride on the sidewalk, but I do from time to time when riding in a car lane is unsafe. From time to time I drop my son off at pre-school using my mtn bike and a trailer. Between my house and the school is a section of about 3 city blocks where riding on the road is completely unsafe, especially in the morning when bleary eyed cube farmers are talking on the phone, slurping coffee and generally doing everything but watch the road.
When I do ride on a sidewalk I always make sure to do the following:
Slow down
Yield to pedestrians
Watch for cars at all curb cuts (parking lot entrances, etc)
As soon as it is safe, I jump right back on the road where my bike belongs. I try to obey all the traffic rules, but sometimes disobeying them makes me safer and the cars happier. For instance, if I coast through a stop sign with a car instead of coming to a stop then I am less of an impediment to traffic.
My brother is a cop and a bike rider and he agrees that there are times when breaking the rules does make more sense. That said, if anyone ever writes me a ticket for breaking a law I would just have to suck it up and pay it.
The moral is to be aware of your surroundings and don’t be an ass out there on the road.
