Bicyclist critically injured in crash on Nimitz Highway
GOAKAMAI.ORG
Westbund traffic was backed up at the intersection of Nimitz Highway and Alakawa Street after police closed off a section of the highway to conduct an accident investigation.
A 53-year-old woman was transported to a trauma center in critical condition today after she was involved in an accident on Nimitz Highway in front of the Kalihi Kai Fire Station.
The accident occurred shortly before 8 a.m. Police closed the westbound lanes on the highway between Alakawa Street and Waiakamilo Road to investigate. Lanes were reopened at about 10:10 a.m.
Emergency Medical Services said the woman was riding a bicycle when she apparently struck a car and lost control. She was ejected and reportedly landed on her head.
She was not wearing a helmet.
Fire personnel and paramedics treated the bicyclist for a head wound before she was transported to the hospital.
12 responses to “Bicyclist critically injured in crash on Nimitz Highway”
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Dangerous riding a bicycle on Nimitz. I’ve thought of bicycling to work for exercise and savings (wear & tear on auto, gas, parking) but seeing how dangerous it is to ride a bicycle on Nimitz, I’ve decided against it. Oahu is NOT a bicycle friendly environment.
Well I’ve done it since the early 90’s and yes the section between Sand Island Access rd past Waiakamilo is sketchy. The sign says “End Bike Path” like where are we suppose go? Wait for and Catch the Bus? for 4 blocks? I just rest up as I approach SIA and then peddle my heart out until the bike path miraculously reappears. Then its all easy cruising once again.
Actually this one of the best stretches I rode on when commuting from UH to Middle street. Lots of professional drivers who know what they are doing.
As noted the bike path just abruptly ends in both directions. I took a right on Waiakamilo, bumped down Hart, and right on Puuhakle to where Dillingham gets a little wider on the way out. On the way back I found it best to cut through Aloha Tower Marketplace and then up to King Street.
Don’t give up on riding your bike; just keep looking for a route that you feel comfortable on. It only took me and extra 5 to 10 minutes on the bike (at rush hour when the cars tend to just sit still for extended periods) and it’s good exercise! Met a guy along the way once who rode from Kailua to Camp Smith 3 times a week; he wouldn’t have even gotten warmed up on my ride . . .
always wear a helmet
Right on, We agree!
Absolutely! The only time I don’t wear one is when I am only riding on a bike bath with no worry about cars. She might have not even been badly injured with a helmet. At least she was right in front of the fire station. The car is always going to win.
Cars are far from being the only thing that can cause you to fall off a bicycle. People should ALWAYS wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, NO EXCEPTIONS.
She might still argument that the car was at fault, file suit and win who knows how may multi-million dollars. I’m just saying it often happens whether it will happen in this case I have no clue.
If the car was not moving she should not have to case. Maybe she was not paying attention or even texting. Not very good details here. Frequently a cyclist will be injured because someone in a car opens their door without looking.
Your last four words said it all.
Most times the bicyclist is blamed for causing an accident. It’s a built-in bias against us riders. As a life-long bicyclist here in Hawaii, it’s my experience that a lot of crashes are due to drivers not paying attention or being just plain mean.
Not sure I agree with that. I’m a cycling enthusiast, don’t have the experience you do but I routinely observe BOTH motorists and bicyclists blatantly ignoring traffic laws.