Aspen cyclist severely injured after colliding with dump truck
A cyclist suffered severe injuries in Aspen after colliding with a commercial dump truck while on an e-bike.
According to the police report, the Sept. 27 incident occurred at the intersection of N. Mill Street and E. Main Street, where the truck was making a right turn onto Main Street, heading west.
“The truck had a green light and was already in the process of turning when the cyclist approached from behind on her bicycle,” witnesses reported.
According to the police report, bystanders said that the cyclist intended to turn right, as well, but she was traveling at a faster speed than the truck.
“As the cyclist tried to pass the truck on its right side, she lost control and fell. Her left arm became trapped under the truck’s rear tires,” the report states. “Witnesses immediately shouted at the driver to stop and back up in an effort to free her from underneath the vehicle.”
The police report further states that the driver of the commercial vehicle was visibly shaken at the scene. The driver cooperated with authorities and handed over his driver’s license, truck insurance, and registration documents.
The cyclist was later transported to Grand Junction by air due to concerns about blood flow to her arm, according to authorities.
The rider was found at fault for failure to yield and “passing on the right prohibited while riding in the right turn lane.” Her current state of condition is unknown at this time.
Earlier this year, the city of Aspen, with the help of its Parks and Open Space department, began a new initiative aimed at educating the public about e-bike safety.
Aspen Police Department Assistant Chief Bill Linn said many people who visit Aspen are unfamiliar with Colorado cycling laws.
“Unfortunately, in a lot of the bicycle-involved crashes we are dealing with this summer, the bicyclist has been at fault — either because they are unfamiliar with e-biking or Colorado law,” Linn said. “These e-bikes are very powerful, and it is very easy to out-ride your skill level.”
He said there is a lot of misunderstanding around Colorado state laws and bicycles.
“We are really trying to educate the public around these misunderstandings,” he said. “Some people on bicycles do not think they have to stop at a stop sign, and there is a nugget of truth to that, but that is not the entire story.”
Linn said that if there is a car at a stop sign and a bicyclist is approaching that intersection, the bicyclist has to stop as that car has the right of way.
“Many people do not realize they are breaking the law at all,” he said. “Unfortunately, this is why we have been seeing an increase in these e-bike crashes.”
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