Teen Bicyclist Struck by Car in Rochester, NH
Rochester Police used a Friday night crash between a 17-year-old bicyclist and a car to reinforce bicycle safety rules.
The teen was struck by a white Nissan Altima while crossing the intersection of Brock St and Columbus Avenue around 10:30 p.m. and sustained serious injuries, according to police. The bicyclist was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital and then Boston Children’s Hospital.
The Rochester Voice reported the teen suffered a broken leg.
Police did disclose if the Nissan driver was charged, or the teen's identity.
"In addition to wearing a well fitted helmet, Rochester Police want to remind bicycle riders that it is far more dangerous to ride at night than during the day because you are harder for others to see. If you have to ride at night, wear something that makes you more easily seen by others," Rochester Police said on the department's Facebook page.
Some tips offered by Rochester Police include:
- If you have to ride at night, wear something that makes you more easily seen by others.
- Make sure you have reflectors on the front and rear of your bicycle (white lights on the front and red rear reflectors), in addition to reflectors on your tires, so others can see you.
- Wear neon, fluorescent, or other bright colors when riding day or night.
- Wear something that reflects light, such as reflective tape or markings, or flashing lights. Remember, just because you can see a driver doesn’t mean the driver can see you.
- As a bicyclist riding on the street, remember to obey all traffic laws (obey traffic lights, signs/signals and lane markings) and to go with the flow of traffic, not against it.
Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH