Cleveland bike shop owner pushes for safer streets after becoming victim of hit-skip

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – An Ohio Metropolis bike store proprietor remains to be feeling the consequences of a hit-and-run crash that has the Cleveland biking neighborhood pushing but once more for a safer setting on metropolis streets.

Alex Nosse was leaving Pleasure Machines Bike Store round 7:00 p.m. final Monday, simply after darkish.

His regular route residence takes him by means of the intersection of Fulton Highway and Lorain Avenue.

“I noticed simply out of the nook of my eye, headlights coming proper at me at a reasonably good clip. I attempted to truly pace as much as get by means of however didn’t have sufficient time. A automobile hit me on the left aspect towards the again of the bike. I went down fairly arduous on my left aspect. I reduce my face,” Nosse instructed 19 Information.

He stated the motive force blew by means of a crimson gentle. Surveillance video from a close-by enterprise seems to indicate the automobile operating by means of the sunshine earlier than hitting Nosse.

The motive force by no means stopped.

“They simply burned rubber and took off,” Nosse stated.

Apart from lingering soreness, his accidents had been minor.

Nosse has lengthy been an advocate for safer, extra bike-friendly infrastructure.

“As a lot as I hate to say it, I really feel like our infrastructure so far as bike and pedestrian security is extraordinarily behind the occasions,” he instructed 19 Information. “There simply aren’t that many roads that really feel that secure to experience a motorcycle on.”

After he was launched from the hospital, Nosse posted a sequence of messages on social media in regards to the incident and the necessity for adjustments.

“I don’t need this to be a story about bikes being unsafe. Bikes will not be inherently unsafe. Individuals who blow crimson lights at full pace are a scourge on society. They’d have hit any car or particular person touring by means of the intersection at that second,” he wrote.

He shared comparable ideas in his interview with 19 Information.

“Plenty of occasions it simply feels such as you’re being thrown to the wolves,” he stated. “It’s a typical chorus of crying out for higher and safer roads. An enormous a part of that’s tradition and making an announcement.”

In July of this 12 months, Cleveland Metropolis Council handed Full and Inexperienced Streets ordinance after years of debate.

It updates a 2011 ordinance that requires the town to include expanded areas for strolling, biking and transit in future city-sponsored street tasks.

Previous to its passage, the laws struggled to realize traction, prompting a sequence of tweets from Ward 3 councilman Kerry McCormack in 2021.

“This regulation is neither an overreach nor superfluous. EVERY SINGLE neighborhood assembly I attend residents voice constant & deep concern over rushing & security on our roads. This regulation would calm visitors & present secure choices for cyclists, pedestrians & extra. It’s a kitchen desk concern,” he wrote.

In accordance with metropolis council paperwork, main streets are most probably to be accomplished, although some residential streets might be eligible.

Nosse stated McCormack has been useful in attempting to trace down further surveillance footage of final week’s hit skip.

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