Skip to content

Accident a reminder for motorists to keep a sharp eye out for cyclists

Accident a good time for motorists and cyclists to review the road sharing rules
web1_IMG_6338-comforting-bicyclist-
Curtis Sartain (left) makes a call for assistance while Phillip Bucholtz cleans up and puts a bandaid on Leslie Wilson’s knee, while Carol Sailor offers comfort following and accident where Sailor opened her car door just as Wilson was passing by her vehicle. The accident sent Wilson crashing to the ground sustaining cuts on her hand and knee. Gaeil Farrar photo

A collision in front of the Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin on Fourth Avenue last Friday morning, June 16 is a good reminder for motorists to keep a sharp eye out for people riding bicycles.

Carol Sailor had just parked her van in front of the apartment block across from the museum.

She said she checked in her rear view mirror to see if anyone was coming before opening her door, but didn’t see the cyclist who hit the door just as she opened it.

Cyclist Leslie Wilson said she could see the door opening but with only a split second to react there was no time to avoid the collision.

She injured her hand and had a nasty gash on her knee when she fell off her bike.

Phillip Bucholtz and Curtis (CJ) Sartain, who were working with Blakes Moving and Storage moving artifacts from the museum to their new home at the Tourism Discovery Centre at the time, came running to help.

Sailor, Bucholtz and Sartain helped a shaking Wilson up and over to a seat on the grass in front of the apartment block. Bucholtz and Sartain retrieved their first aid kit and bandaged Wilson’s wounds and offered to take her to hospital.

They tried calling her husband for help but after a few moments, while still shaken up, Wilson decided she was well enough to ride her bike home.

Wilson said motorists need to be more aware that they are sharing the road with people on bikes.

Sailor said her lesson learned is to double check for cyclists before opening her car door.

“I really feel bad about it,” Sailor said. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

She also said that some cyclists also need to be more careful about how they use the road because some riders she has seen shoot out in front of vehicles to make a turn without signalling or taking proper care.