Close call as pickup cuts across cyclists in Pasadena race

Cyclists say a pickup truck that cut across their path during a road race Sunday is an example of drivers disregarding the safety of riders.

'It was a pretty scary experience,' says lead rider

Brian McHugh · CBC News · Posted: Jun 06, 2017 12:12 PM EDT | Last Updated: June 6, 2017

Cyclists say they're wary of vehicles when they take part in road races. (Cycle Solutions/Facebook)

Sunday's 2017 Impact cycling race through the streets of Pasadena, in western Newfoundland, lived up to its name — in a scary way.

Cyclists say a pickup driver swerved and made a sudden left turn across the path of the oncoming racers.

Several bikes crashed into one another after slamming on their brakes. One cyclist was injured when he hit the pavement hard.

Could have been worse

Competitor Andrew Batstone of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove is relieved the outcome wasn't worse. He believes the incident points to a growing problem of drivers' carelessness around cyclists in Newfoundland and Labrador.

It was a pretty scary experience.- Andrew Batstone, cyclist

"We were lucky we didn't actually make contact with the vehicle. With such a narrow miss, it was a pretty scary experience," he told the Corner Brook Morning Show.

Batstone was leading the pack when the truck whipped across the road in front of him, "very, very close." Batstone yelled to his fellow racers behind him and "jammed on my brakes," sliding toward the side of the road and just barely avoiding the pickup.

Driver says he didn't see them

Batstone said the driver got out, told some of the cyclists that he "didn't see you guys coming, didn't see you guys coming," and drove on about a minute later.

But Batstone is not sure he buys the explanation.

Competitors at Cycle Solutions' Impact race in Pasadena, where a pickup truck cut across the path of racers. (Cycle Solutions/Facebook)

"There was a pack of about 40 riders on the other side of the road, coming directly toward him. It could be he misjudged our speed (about 40km/h), but it would have been almost impossible for a driver to miss the riders."

The injured cyclist stayed down on the ground for five to 10 minutes and got some help from paramedics, as well as fellow racers who had medical training.

The race, which was completed without further incident, was delayed by about half an hour and Batstone said competitors were "really shook up" by what happened.

Uneasy riders

Race organizers said they followed all the proper safety procedures for the event.

Batstone, who does most of his cycling in the St. John's area, said the incident has added to riders' increasing unease.

"You try to improve your health, and getting on a bicycle should not be as dangerous as it has become," he said.

According to Batstone, drivers in the province are "considerably more distracted and it seems everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere. I've had several close calls in the last couple of years."

As for the pickup driver who stopped for a minute and went on his way — he may not be out of the woods yet. Someone got his licence plate number and the RCMP are looking into a complaint that he failed to yield right of way to the cyclists.