PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A Presque Isle man escaped serious injury Friday afternoon after the bicycle he was riding collided with a car that was pulling out of the parking lot of a local business.
Presque Isle Police Officer Brian McQuarrie said that the crash happened at around 12:30 p.m.
According to McQuarrie, Melanie Thompson, 26, of Houlton, who was driving a Chevy Evo, was trying to pull out of the parking lot of Portland Glass on Main Street.
“She was in her car and she was trying to inch out into traffic, and she didn’t see the bicyclist,” he said.
As Thompson pulled into traffic, Mike Michaud, 25, of Presque Isle, was riding his bike toward the car and he could not stop in time to avoid hitting it. He hit the vehicle around its front tire and was thrown over the hood.
He was not wearing a helmet, McQuarrie said Friday.
Two nurses stopped at the scene to help Michaud.
He was taken by Crown Ambulance to The Aroostook Medical Center with injuries not considered life-threatening.
No charges will be filed.
McQuarrie was assisted by Presque Isle police Sgt. Mark Barnes and members of the Presque Isle Fire Department.
Why does the fact he wasn’t wearing a helmet have to be mentioned? Is it an attempt to put blame on the cyclist? Clearly, if the driver inched out into to traffic without looking the cyclist wasn’t at fault.
It’s not intended to put blame on the cyclist. Whether a helmet or seat belt is worn is usually the first question asked and argued over after a report of a bike (motor or pedal) or enclosed vehicle accident. They answer the question before it’s even asked.
Since the article did not mention any head injuries then why is the cyclist’s choice of headwear relevant?
It’s a preventative measure, to stop people from speculating and assuming. Obviously, you won’t be satisfied either way, so it’s pointless for them to try and please you.
What would they speculate or assume?
Wishing this man a complete and speedy recovery!!!
Hope he doesn’t have to be reminded how important wearing a helmet is…. He was very lucky this time. Motorists: remember that cyclists have as much right to the roads as cars and motorcycles. Let’s look out for each other!
I can only imagine why the driver didn’t see him. She probably didn’t turn her head to see what was coming from that direction. It only takes a few seconds for a once clear path to have a pedestrian or bike in the line of fire.
You don’t know that a failure to look is what happened! Perhaps the driver was looking but the field of view was obstructed and the bike rider was exceeding the speed limit. Actually, the way I read this article the bike rider drove into the side of the car. Consequently I think the bike rider should be ticketed. You can speculate all day but that’s all it is, speculation. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, bicycles do not belong on roads meant for motorized vehicles. However if they are allowed on the roads they need to be registered, licensed, inspected, wear the appropriate protective clothing and head gear, and be penalized for not following the rules of the road.
No, you weren’t there and just like most news you read or watch on tv it’s mostly untrue or missing a lot of the facts. As far as bicycles not belonging on roads, I think you’re wrong. Where would you like bicycles to be ridden, in the river? As for bicycles being registered, licensed and inspected, you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. I think you’re just here to scream and complain. If it was your kid that was hit, you’d be all over the driver, trying to sue them. Bangor Daily asked me to be civil, or else I’d have a lot more words for you.
You are right Mr. Michaud Jr., neither of us were there. I must also satisfy the BDN polite clause but to say again, it is my opinion that bicycles do not belong on the same roads as motorized vehicles. I believe that bikes ought to be ridden on paths, trails, or special bike roads such as the one down south near Portland, anywhere but in close proximity to motorized traffic. However, should they be allowed on the same roads they ought to be regulated the same as motorized vehicles, i.e. licensed, registered, insured, inspected, and wearing the appropriate gear for the inevitable crash. As for my children, I did not allow them to ride their bikes on the road with motorized vehicles. I think it is a serious breach of good sense parenting to allow a child on the same venue as multi-ton vehicles which are traveling at 50 mph or more.
Since an occupant of a motor vehicle is statistically about four times as likely to sustain a head injury as a bicyclist is, can I assume that you wear a proper helmet every time you drive your car?
Main Street in Presque Isle has beccome a four lane race track.
i agree. my nickname for it is presque isle international raceway. the PIPD cars are the pace cars lol
“No charges will be filed.”
It seems that this has become standard procedure in any collision where nobody was under the influence of alcohol. Why?
Ms. Thompson clearly failed to yield to oncoming traffic (Mr. Michaud). Doesn’t that deserve a citation?
Oh yeah, it’s always the motor vehicle that is to blame. These peddlers feel they own the road and all traffic should be on the lookout for just them. They ride on the roads 3-4-5 abreast and wonder why people lean on the horns when they are blocking traffic. They ignore all the traffic laws but cry foul when someone hits them. Ever see a “share the road” bumper sticker on one of them?
Amen!