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58-year-old man killed while riding in bike lane

On Behalf of | Nov 14, 2017 | Car Accidents |

Cycling is dangerous, which is why many states ask cyclists to ride in bike lanes and to do what they can to move over when traffic is behind them. That doesn’t always make a difference, though, like in this case involving the death of a 58-year-old man.

A Nov. 9 report discussed the sad death of a man who was riding a bike when a classic car struck him on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The 58-year-old man was riding his bike at approximately 4:30 p.m., when a 1965 Ford Falcon struck him. The driver remained at the scene and is reportedly cooperating with the police.

The news reports that the 58-year-old man suffered from leg and head injuries and had to be transported by air to the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.

This is not the first accident involving a cyclist to take place on this roadway. Earlier this year, a man was indicted after allegedly hitting a cyclist and then leaving the scene. The man had claimed that the cyclist impacted his vehicle on purpose.

The Natchez Trace Parkway has been designated as a bicycle route, so the accidents do lead to some concerns. Over the holidays and on the weekends, the number of people riding on the Parkway increases significantly. The cyclists are allowed to use the entire lane and ride in traffic when necessary. Federal law does require cyclists to travel single-file and asks that they move to the right to allow drivers to pass. Motor vehicle drivers are asked to keep a safe distance from cyclists and to overtake them with plenty of time and space to do so.

Source: The Tennessean, “Dickson Co. cyclist dies after being struck on Natchez Trace Parkway,” Chris Gadd, Nov. 09, 2017