After safely riding 750 miles across France, a cyclist is struck by cars twice in one week in Asheville. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, Luke Heller recently completed the Paris-Brest-Paris, which is a 750-mile bike ride with 6,000 participants. The ride goes across France. Shortly upon returning to Asheville, Heller was struck by a car on Haywood Road. He was scraped up in that incident, but otherwise okay. Later that week, while riding to work, he was struck by another car on Haywood Road.
Asheville Cyclist Injured on Haywood Road
This time, the car that struck him was turning out of Brownwood Road. Heller went over the handlebars, landed on the sidewalk and was injured. He suffered from a broken elbow. Ironically, the car struck him right beside a Share The Road arrow. Heller was reportedly most upset about the vulnerability of cyclists on U.S. roadways. Even the most experienced cyclists can become injured, or worse, in collisions involving motor vehicles. Heller also remarked that something should be done so that drivers incorporate cyclist safety into their driving styles.
Bicycle Crash Statistics
- An estimated 48,000 cyclists were injured in U.S. traffic wrecks in 2013.
- In 2013, 743 cyclists across the U.S. were killed in traffic crashes.
- 68 percent of all cyclist fatalities in 2013 occurred in urban area crashes.
- From 2004 to 2013, the average age of cyclists killed in traffic crashes has increased from 39 to 44 years old.
- In 2013, the cyclist fatality rate per capita was almost 7 times greater for males than females.
After a Bicycle Accident in Asheville
Bicycle accidents can leave victims in the hospital and out of work. Since cyclists are one of the most vulnerable roadway user groups, collisions involving cars can be devastating, catastrophic or fatal. If you or a cyclist you love has been injured in an accident in Asheville or the surrounding communities, contact a skilled personal injury lawyer as soon as possible about your options.
The team at Davis Law Group, P.A. wishes Heller a speedy recovery from his injuries and hopes he can return to cycling swiftly.