A Tri-Cities cyclist was seriously injured when he hit an empty concrete turtle intended to hold a traffic bollard. The bollards have not yet been installed. As the Tri City Herald reports, the cyclist, Matt Moeller, “suffered shattered bones and a collapsed lung.”
While that’s a serious accident, that turtle is nothing compared to the exposed tracks, potholes (I don’t think there are any potholes in the Tri-Cities), homeless people, drunken mariners fans, drunken seahawks fans, car doors, sheer density of traffic, suv drivers, concrete cracks, and more in larger urban areas like Seattle. It’s always best to ride with situational awareness, as I call it, to be very aware of your surroundings and that angry driver trying to park in your lane.
My wife endoed on exposed railroad track once, sliding into a curb with her head, and spent a day in the emergency room dazed and confused. Her helmet saved her life and I watched it all happen. I’m sure Matt freaked everyone out that was with him, including himself!
“Montana Mike” Robinson has been updating the Chinook Cycle Club with reports on Matt’s status and it’s great to hear he’s “up and walking. They have elected not to do surgery as all the broken “stuff” is in place and the ball and sockets appear OK also.”
See this post from stokediam about a cyclist that hit a real turtle and broke his collarbone.