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.
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.
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It's pretty close to impossible to kill a motorist on your bike. That having been said , here in Japan, where it's not only legal to ride on the footpath (where possible) but encouraged, I nevertheless never expect motorists to stop and am always prepared to stop suddenly when they do stupid things. I think it's called riding with head removed from arse. I've been hit once from behind and although the insurance helped me through that (90% the old bitches fault- official insurance estimate) I realise with a bit more savvy I would have avoided that situation.
