Changes to a street in Virginia Beach were supposed to make it safer, but one homeowner said they caused him to fall off his bike.
He’s now using the terrible situation to warn others about the new traffic changes.
It occurred on a section of Mediterranean Avenue where the city has constructed raised medians and curb bulb-outs to address speeding concerns, but some locals are skeptical about their effectiveness.
“Especially if you ride it frequently, I believe that was my disadvantage. “I bike it all the time, and I just never expected that to be there,” Virginia Beach resident Andrew McCulley explained.
McCulley’s typical bike ride quickly turned into something more.
“I didn’t notice the curb until I was practically on top of it. “I hit my brakes, locked my front wheel, and the entire bike flipped forward, throwing me right into here,” McCulley said.
He informed 10 On Your Side that the new extension to Mediterranean Avenue was the cause of his fall. Curb bulb-outs or curb extensions are what the City of Virginia Beach calls them.
“I’m not sure what these are for; automobiles don’t slow down for them. They can simply consume through at the same speed, whereas bicycles can suffer serious injuries if they are hit.”
The bulb-outs are intended to help shorten the route and promote safer crossings, since traffic flow and speeding on the busy street have been a major issue.
The city stated that the bulb-outs were installed in parking lanes, which are frequently used by bikers.
“I can tell you right now bicyclists use it more than people use it for just parking,” says McCulley. “People cycle along the oceanfront. It’s a recreational area, and I’m hoping that we can improve the bicycle infrastructure around here, since we definitely need additional bike lanes.
McCulley sustained injuries to his hand and foot as a result of the accident. But he’s relieved that it didn’t turn out worse, as he believes could happen if people don’t become aware of the new developments.
Reference: Man injured in Virginia Beach bike accident blames city safety upgrades