Bicyclist injured after accident at Fifth and Michigan streets / LJWorld.com

A 30-year-old Lawrence woman was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital after she was struck on her bicycle by a pickup truck Wednesday afternoon at Fifth and Michigan streets, Lawrence police said.

Sgt. Trent McKinley, a patrol shift supervisor, said the injuries to the woman, Sara Germann, were not believed to be life threatening. At 4:14 p.m. while headed north on Michigan Street she had slowed down to allow a southbound vehicle to pass. She then extended her arm to signal a left turn, but at the same time Randy Schimmel, 50, of Lawrence, the driver of a northbound 1983 Dodge Ram pickup truck attempted to pass her on the left.

As she turned, Germann then ran into the passenger-side mirror and front fender of the truck. Germann was wearing a helmet and protective gloves.

McKinley said officers were expected to ticket Schimmel.

An LMH official said Germann had been treated and released as of Wednesday night.

Jean Robart 5 years, 6 months ago

Yes! Hope the bicyclist is okay.

tolawdjk 5 years, 6 months ago

Correct me if I am wrong but "Yes!" is the last way anyone should look at a story like this. It sounds very Wesborobaptistish

Keith 5 years, 6 months ago

I'm not sure you're allowed to pass on a residential street. Especially when the vehicle in front of you is signalling left.

parrothead8 5 years, 6 months ago

If a car was signaling a left turn, and the driver of the truck attempted to pass the car on the left, would you still be asking that question?

grimpeur 5 years, 6 months ago

Don't know, but the driver should be ticketed.

Passing a left-turning vehicle on the left? Yes, that's ticketable.

just_another_bozo_on_this_bus 5 years, 6 months ago

This is always problematic for bike riders. They're required to ride in the gutter lane, which requires them to cross the traffic behind them if they want to make a left turn, and most drivers are more concerned with getting around the bike rider than paying attention to proper hand signals.

Ron Holzwarth 5 years, 6 months ago

That is assuming that car drivers are watching the road at all. They might be busy texting or talking on the phone.

Keifer Miller 5 years, 6 months ago

http://www.ksdot.org/burrail/bike/biking/KsBicyStatutes.asp

You have the right to take the full lane when preparing for a left turn. In this case, the proper thing to do is: 1) look behind you, 2) signal left, 3) move over into left half of lane in advance of the turn, 4) turn.

True enough, but when you're in the gutter lane and there are cars coming from behind, good luck getting into the turn lane.

Bob Burton 5 years, 6 months ago

Looks to me like the bike rider was @ fault.. Waited to long to signal a left turn.. Was probably not in the correct lane..

"McKinley said officers were expected to ticket Schimmel."

Then how do you explain this?

Hey, LJW you need to change the heading.. Should say "Bicyclist injured in accident at Fifth and Michigan streets"..

Bozo, you know the LPD are so PC that bicyclist are always right!!

In other words, you know nothing about this other than your prejudice against bike riders.

Only Lawrence bicycle riders!!

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Archive for Wednesday, February 29, 2012