Teenager hospitalized after being struck by vehicle while riding bike
A teenager was seriously injured Tuesday after being hit by a car while riding a bike on Scio Church Road between Wagner and Zeeb roads.
Huron Valley Ambulance spokeswoman Joyce Williams said medical personnel were sent at 5:20 p.m. Tuesday to the crash.
She said a teenager was hit by a car while riding a bicycle and was taken to University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in unstable condition. Williams said the person was a teenager, but the exact age was not available.
Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office officials were not able to comment on the crash Wednesday morning when reached by phone.
The current condition of the teenager is unknown. Check back to this story for more information as it becomes available.
View Untitled in a larger map
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
intellcity
Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 4:35 a.m.
I commute and tried this section of Scio Church. I decided that it was not a good route to use. The pavement is in bad condition, the hills limit visibility, the cars go too fast, the road is too narrow and has no edge to ride on. Actually I have not yet found any good route for my commute. Bike paths are intermittent - present and then not. How are you supposed to get from one section to the next - walk? I just ride on the road with the cars. Also the condition of the pavement all around Ann Arbor is poor to the point of being dangerous for cyclists. There are good sections and then the next few blocks will bounce your water bottle out of the cage. I imagine there is but the results do not seem to show much planning for bicyclists. It is hit and miss. When roads are repaved bike lanes often get marked. But the gaps in between don't make for happy or safe riding. Even some dedicated bike paths are not pleasant to ride on and seem to be made only for pedestrians. 12 stop signs and another 12 road crossings in two miles means a lot of getting on and off to walk your bike across the intersections as legally required for a sidewalk. This is why you see cyclists riding down the road instead of using the bike path. Generally drivers have been considerate of my riding. It is stressful reading some of the comments posted here every time there is a car/bicycle event. I hope I never meet some that post herein. My main concern while riding home around 10:00 PM is being hit by a drunk driver. My other concern is having to walk home after blowing out a tire from the bad pavements.
Just A Citizen
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 11:04 a.m.
I live right right where the biker was hit and I can tell you this is becoming a common occurrence on Scio Church, particularly at this spot. The road is misleading for drivers because there are long stretches with extended visibility but there are also sudden hilly areas limiting visibility (which is where the accident happened). You will also notice that there are no speed limit signs on the stretch between Wagner and Zeeb. I have often wondered why, particularly as Scio Church becomes less populated starting at Wagner (going west), giving the impression that the speed limit goes up. It is clearly a favorite route for bikers and I can see why. Bikers will continue to ride this route because it is human nature to think that we personally are immune from rare tragic events. Also, note that this is also the stretch that Pioneer students have to walk to catch the bus - in the dark. In effect this means that students along this area do not have access to school buses because no parent in their right mind would let their child walk along this area. I'd be happy to give up some property & have increased taxes to put in a biking/pedestrian lane to address this problem!
FredMax
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 1:32 a.m.
I cycle this stretch once in awhile, but never without a mirror and ready to move to the shoulder for cars too fast or close.
Sam S Smith
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 11:52 p.m.
Special thoughts and prayers for this teen, the driver and their families and friends!
Orangecrush2000
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 11:35 p.m.
Our area - Washtenaw Cty, prehaps - is painfully behind when it comes to bike lanes. I grew up 40+ years ago in an area where a teenager could ride a bike for miles alongside roads, on safe bike lanes. Didn't need a car until I actually got one. ........... But, it seems that here, when someone builds a bike lane a mile long, you'd think they'd landed on the moon. And, then everyone thinks, "Wow, we have a bike lane, problem solved." And, no one seems to care that it doesn't get used because it's only a mile long........... Point being, we need to have a priority for bicycle travel. It's not just for recreatiion and fancy tight clothes. It's also for travel, safety and quality of life............ Roads like S.C and Zeeb , Pont Trail, Wag and Dex-AA, and outlier roads in Pittsfield, and Superior Twnships need bike lanes alongside the roads
treetowncartel
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 4:13 p.m.
@ John, Independence used to be a dirt road for a little strip in that area, which is called Kimberly Hills. I believe portions of it may have been annexed islands of Pittsfield Township, I know Shady Lane across Packard was. Also, back in the 70's and 80's I remember seeing pheasants in that neighborhood.
John
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 12:49 p.m.
@leaguebus, like the dirt roads in the middle of the A2 city limits south of Independence behind The Ponds. All those people with their nice suburban houses right on a dirt-track road in the middle of town. Weird. I assume that was a Pittsfield/A2 border area at one point maybe?
leaguebus
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 1:15 a.m.
Actually Washtenaw County is way behind in paved roads. Thats why cyclists are seen on some roads that are somewhat dangerous for them. It is less dangerous to ride on Jackson than Scio, as it has large bike lanes. I have ridden all over the state and when I get back to AA, I realize how few paved roads there are. Out in the south western counties of Michigan, its sometimes hard to find an unpaved road.
Kevin
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 10:56 p.m.
Brian Lake makes the only sense here. 55 MPH country roads are NOT for bikes. Let's be smart here.
matt1027
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 4:05 a.m.
Yep, there is happy fantasy world where everybody bikes or skateboards or scooters along side cars, and there is reality where that is an extremely dangerous undertaking ( no pun intended).
Jamie N.
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 9:19 p.m.
Maybe with two car/cyclist accidents in as many months, the Township will be more inclined to consider a bike lane option for Scio Church Road (doesn't address the disparate speed issue, but would be a start). In early July, I was knocked off my bicycle on Scio Church road between Zeeb and Emerson School by a driver who saw me but just misjudged the distance needed to safely pass (some bones were broken). I'm not sure if I'll try to commute by bike again once the injuries heal. Many claim cycling is a safe form of transportation and I really wanted to believe that was true, but after my experience, I'm inclined to disagree--at least about that stretch of road.
egcthree
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 12:36 a.m.
I highly doubt Scio township has any cash to add bike lanes anywhere. Biking on some roads is ill advised in my opinion.
Linda Peck
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 11:16 p.m.
Jamie, thank you for sharing your story. I hope and pray you will heal quickly. I agree with you on the safety factor. I would not want my children to ride on that road.
P. J. Murphy
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 8:42 p.m.
A decade or so ago I did a lot of cycling on Scio Church Rd, today I'm typically driving, but I still use it frequently. It's actually a beautiful road, one of the nicest routes in the county. But what's being said here is all too true. Traffic has measurably increased over the past few years, and there just isn't enough room for 2 cars and a bike. Much of it west of Parker has been recently repaved, but the white fog line is right at the edge of the pavement, so bikers are out there just just a couple of feet from cars which often are going 55 to 60 mph. It really would be great if the county made a minimal accommodation for bikes out there. There are still plenty of cyclists, especially on fair weather weekends. However I doubt if there's much political support for even a modest effort, so I wouldn't hold my breath. Today's story reminds me of a few close calls I had, and how lucky I was. This young person is in my thoughts, and I sincerely hope the next story bring better news.
Carolyn
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 6:55 p.m.
Too many unecessary injuries and deaths due to inattentive and drivers frenzied by the need to slow down. And to the driver behind me yesterday at the intersection of E. Huron River Dr and Huron Parkway who was apoplectic because I was following the electronic sign that indicated "No Turn on Red": after being in a serious car accident on Plymouth Rd and the death toll for that road now up to 3, no amount of honking and/or gesturing will get any other response from me than a hope that you never end up being responsible for an unintended tragedy just because you feel so entitled to get where you need to be a few minutes quicker.
Rachel Resin
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 1:48 p.m.
Matt, I feel sorry for your pain. It must be tough slowing to 10 mph for a few minutes whenever you have to pass a cyclist. Good thing you drive a vehicle that can go places five times faster than a bicycle can.
matt1027
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 4:01 a.m.
A driver also shouldn't be expected to slow to 10 mph on a 45 mph road because a cyclist feels entitled to ride carelessly outside of the bike lame. In most of these recent accidents it is the careless and entitled way that pedestrians and cyclists enter into traffic that has caused the problems. Too little info to tell I'm this case.
Martha Cojelona Gratis
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 6:53 p.m.
this town is making huge strides to become bike friendly but its not there yet. bikers remember you are not invincible. a car is alot heavier than your bike.
matt1027
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 6:32 p.m.
That is a dreadful stretch of road for cyclists and drivers trying to ride together. I grew up along that stretch and there is a terrbile combination. No space beyond the white line (we're talking maybe a few inches of pavement), bad road conditions which makes it hard to travel in a steady straight line, and no room for a driver to move around a bike if there is oncoming traffic. The fact that cyclists are typically moving 35 mph slower than the cars doesn't help either. Certainly not the cyclists fault (without more information provided) but I'd hate to think that the driver will be severely punished as a result. I would never let my child ride their bike along that stretch.
matt1027
Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 1:20 p.m.
And I would say that you are pretentious and nieve to think that cyclists are entitled to slow traffic on a road designed for cars (no bike lane) to a stand still. Their is happy land that you live in and reality. It's simple. You go on these dangerous road, you risk your own safety right or wrong.
Rachel Resin
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 1:43 p.m.
If you can't slow down your driving speed in order to avoid hitting a human being at the side of the road - if your eyesight is so poor that you can't see the person, or you are too impatient to wait for a prudent time to pass the person, or you allow something to distract you long enough to cause an accident - you deserve to be punished. I would even say that you have no business driving a car.
ArthGuinness
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 5:20 p.m.
I've ridden my bike there several times, but it is not particularly safe to do so. The road is in such bad condition that you have to swerve all over the place to avoid being swallowed by a pothole. Not to mention, there's nothing at all beyond the white line. Add to that a couple of hill crests, and it's just too treacherous to be riding at any time, much less rush hour. I'm not blaming the kid, however. Drivers should naturally be aware of their surroundings and drive accordingly, including slowing down if they have to in order to pass a bike safely. A lot of people significantly exceed the speed limit there, too.
foobar417
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 7:27 p.m.
Agree on all points. For those wondering what the alternative might look like, compare Scio Church or Pleasant Lake to Whitmore Lake or Dexter-Ann Arbor. The latter 2 roads are a pleasure to ride on. The former, not so much.
jrad1978
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 5:08 p.m.
Share the road.... I drive alot and do get annoyed by bikes ....but I also ride my bike alot .....there was a pedestrian struck and killed in ann Arbor two weeks ago on Plymouth road .....these accidents need to stop people .....pay attention when driving ....and bicyclists obey the laws and use lights ...mirrors ...be aware ....don't for a second assume you are safe .....everyone needs to take responsibility for they and others safety when out And about ......some more information would be nice as to what excactly happened ....any witnesses ...and i reely hope this kid pulls thru
grimmk
Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:04 a.m.
I know don't why you added in all the (.....) but I agree that if you are a bike using the road you must obey traffic laws. That means STOP AT THE LIGHTS. I was driving down Forest in Ypsi and a bike coming in the oposite direction stopped for the red light, looked both ways and kept on going. Now if he had been on the sidewalk, no problem! But he was in the road! I honked my horn at him and he gave me a dirty look. +1 for having a helmet on. -50 for going through a red light like it's not there or you are except from it.
PhillyCheeseSteak
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 4:44 p.m.
May the young man or young woman make a quick and complete recovery.
newsmuse
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 4:37 p.m.
That road needs a bike lane. It is hard to bike ride on the shoulder due to all the gravel there. Not sure how much Scio Township values having bike lanes, though.
Eduard Copely
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 5:57 p.m.
Yeah, I'm sure a bike lane would have prevented this accident. Positive.
jrad1978
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 5:16 p.m.
More and more these days people are riding bikes .....I strongly support bike lanes and am wanting bike lanes to connect ann arbor with its neighboring cities ...Dexter....Milan...saline etc need one main bike lane so people trying to get somewhere far on a bike doesn't have to ride on the shoulder on these back roads ....I ride my bike from ann arbor to Milan at times and out of the 20 mile trip there is only five or ten miles of bike lanes.....
foobar417
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 4:39 p.m.
Both Pleasant Lake and Scio Church need bike lanes and/or wide shoulders out to M52. Many cyclists use both for exercise. Unfortunately, there's probably not enough money for a rebuild and widening of both roads in either township or county road commission budgets.
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Aug 21, 2013 : 4:17 p.m.
The map shows the area where the crash took place, on Scio Church between Wagner and Zeeb. I do not know the exact place where the teen was hit and the pin may not be in the exact spot where the crash took place.