ST. GEORGE — A bicyclist was struck by a car pulling out of a driveway Wednesday morning, necessitating an unexpected trip to the hospital.
The incident happened just before noon at the University Plaza on 100 South. St. George Police Officer Jamison Hale said the driver of the car was looking, but did not see the bicyclist.
“(The driver) was coming out of the parking lot waiting to turn right,” Hale said, “He was looking to his left for oncoming traffic, saw it was clear, started to turn right (and) did not notice the bicyclist coming down the sidewalk.”
The car hit the bicycle and knocked the rider to the ground. Hale said that by the time he arrived, the cyclist had been treated and loaded in the ambulance ready to be transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George.
“He complained of head pain, right shoulder pain and right side rib pain,” Hale said in a later interview. “He’s fine. He was talking to me. He’s awake.”
Hale said the driver of the car was issued a citation for failure to yield to a pedestrian.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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It sounds like the bicyclist was 1) on the sidewalk and 2) going against traffic. Not good but somewhat common. The bicyclist should have been cited as well.
Sorry to say that this has become a more common occurrence in and around SG.
As fine a job as the city planning group has done, to make SG bike-friendly, riders must always be on the lookout for drivers who are not attentive.
Defensive riding continues to be mandatory, especially when navigating city streets. The good news is that we have plenty of alternate paths to get around town, and the bike routes are very helpful.
Motorist should fight that citation. Bicycles are not allowed on sidewalks.