JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A bicyclist going the wrong way on Normandy Boulevard was hit by a truck and died early Saturday, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Around 3:55 a.m., officers responded to reports of a fatal crash at the intersection of Normandy and Ellis Road.
Police said a man riding a bicycle was going east in the middle of the westbound lane of Normandy when a Dodge Ram truck driving westbound tried to evade the bicyclist but was unsuccessful and the two collided.
The bicyclist died at the scene.
The driver of the truck and the passenger remained at the scene and are cooperating with the police. They were not hurt.
Part of Normandy Boulevard from Ellis Road to Verna Boulevard was closed early Saturday morning for more than three hours.
There was fog in the area during the time of the crash. JSO is unsure if alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Florida law requires bicyclists to travel in the same direction as traffic.
This marks the 61st traffic fatality in Duval County this year.
Road safety expert weighs in
Saturday’s crash was not surprising to Greg Driskell, who works to improve road safety and recommends bicyclists wear a reflective vest or clothing and light flashers on their bikes.
“This was a disaster in the making,” Driskell said. “It seems that the cyclist was taking great risk.”
Jacksonville is considered one of the most dangerous for pedestrians.
It ranks 10th for pedestrian deaths, according to Smart Growth America, which releases studies each year to put pressure on communities to improve infrastructure for safer roads.
Driskell said this is not a good trend.
Nationwide, 891 bicyclists were killed in 2020, which averages out to 2% of all traffic-related deaths each year.
The Governors Highway Association says that was up 5% from the year before.
“It is really important that you ride in the direction of travel not only because it is the law but also because it’s safer and it’s something that we are accustomed to as a motorist,” Driskell said.