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Elizabeth Baier
St. Paul, Minn.

Cyclist dies after being hit by car in Blaine

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A 60-year-old bicyclist was killed Wednesday afternoon near Bunker Hills Regional Park in Blaine after being struck by a car headed south on the same road, police said.

The accident occurred shortly after 3:45 p.m. at the intersection of 131st Ave. NE and Jefferson Street, officials said.

The driver of the car was headed southbound on Jefferson when she struck the bicyclist, who had also entered the southbound lane of the street.

Officials identified the driver as a 32-year-old woman from Ramsey, and said she had remained on the scene and was cooperating with the investigation.

The bicyclist, a Blaine resident, suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids where he was later pronounced dead, officials said.

The Anoka County Medical Examiner is expected to release his identity after officials notify his next-of-kin.

This is at least the third bicycle-related fatality in Minnesota in recent months.

On May 20, a man riding in a bike lane near downtown Minneapolis was killed after being crushed by a tractor trailer hauling concrete and asphalt, police said.

And on June 1, a 15-year-old boy was killed while riding his bicycle near Mankato, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Officials urge motorists to drive carefully as the weather warms up and more bicyclists return to the roads.

In 2008, 13 bicyclists were killed on Minnesota roads -- the most since 14 bicyclists were killed in 2000, and a significant increase over the four killed in 2007.

State transportation officials say the increase in bicycle commuters was a factor in the increase in deaths last year.

Officials advise both motorists and bicyclists to bear responsibility for safety on the roads--bicyclists are responsible for paying attention to traffic control devices like stoplights and stop signs, while motorists must drive attentively and be aware of bicyclists.

Officials say the biggest factor in bicyclist- motorist crashes is failure to yield the right of way.