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Injured cyclists still in hospital

An after-dark accident involving two Pinellas Trail riders Thursday leaves one in critical condition after he flipped over his handlebars.

By ROBIN STEIN
Published November 12, 2005

Two cyclists injured in an accident on the Pinellas Trail Thursday evening remained hospitalized Friday.

Terry Joyce, 69, of Dunedin was in critical condition at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.

Mitch A. Scott, 47, of Palm Harbor was in stable condition at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital in Tarpon Springs.

Investigators are still working to determine what caused the accident, but they believe a mechanical defect in Joyce's bike might be to blame, said Pinellas County sheriff's spokesman Mac McMullen.

"Right now the focus of investigation is what caused the accident, and the investigation is continuing," he said.

The two men were among 16 cyclists on a weekly ride from Dunedin to Trinity in Pasco County.

McMullen said the group was traveling between 16 and 19 mph and had just passed Alderman Road when the crash occurred about 6:30 p.m., about 50 minutes past sundown.

Joyce, a competitive rider who placed ninth in the Florida Senior Games 20-kilometer race last December, was thrown over the handle bars and struck his head on the pavement.

Two people began giving artificial respiration to Joyce as they waited for medical personnel to arrive, McMullen said. Neither his family nor fellow club members could be reached Friday.

Scott, who had been trailing close behind, crashed into Joyce's bike and fell to the ground.

The Sheriff's Office impounded Joyce's bike, a Trek Madone 5.9, for further investigation. Witnesses and investigators on the scene said it appeared the fork holding the front wheel in place might have bent or snapped, McMullen said. The performance model bike retails for just under $5,000.

The evening rides are an informal gathering of members of the Suncoast Cycling Club, a local advocacy and activity group.

The club is oriented toward serious riders, said Bob Nohren, owner of the Energy Conservatory Bike Shop in Dunedin. It also sponsors large charity events, including the Diabetes Challenge Ride in Dunedin on Sunday, which is expected to draw hundreds of participants.

The riders Thursday evening were all wearing helmets and safety lights, according to McMullen, himself a member of the club.

While there is no evidence to suggest the group was exceeding the 20 mph speed limit posted at that point on the trail, trail rules prohibit race training and pace lines, in which cyclists ride very close behind one another to reduce wind resistance.

There is a county ordinance prohibiting use of the trail after sundown, McMullen said. The sun set at 5:40 p.m. Thursday.

The accident is the second in a little more than a month to send cyclists to local hospitals for treatment.

On Oct. 5, two cyclists collided on a stretch of the trail in Largo.

Mark Sundbom, 36, of Largo, turned left at the bottom of the ramp on the Ulmerton Road overpass just as Carl Robichaud, 62, of Belleair Bluffs, tried to pass him on the left. The two collided and were thrown from their bikes, authorities said.

While investigators have not cited human error as a factor in this week's accident, veteran cyclists say safety needs to be a primary concern, even on a trail with no car or truck traffic.

"You just have to be really vigilant because you are so exposed," said Rosi Prescott, who is visiting from London with her husband. The couple, both avid cyclists, said the mix of experienced and novice cyclists on the trail seems to create the occasional communication breakdown.

Nohren, who teaches bike safety in the area, said that given the 100,000 people using the trail in a normal month, the accident rate is virtually zero.

"There is no safer place to be on your bike than the trail," he said.

- Robin Stein can be reached at rstein@sptimes.com or 727 445-4157.

Pedestrians and people with handicaps have the right of way.

Wheelchairs should use the pedestrian lanes and electric wheelchairs are always permitted.

Bicyclists must obey all traffic controls and signals.

Bicyclists are not permitted to wear headphones at any time.

Bicyclists under 16 must wear helmets.

Electric bicycles are not allowed on the trail.

Bicyclists and skaters should obey posted speed limits.

Racing, race training or pace lines are prohibited.

Skaters should use the bicycle lanes, and both skaters and cyclists should give an audible warning when passing.

Motorized vehicles (except electric wheelchairs, maintenance, law enforcement and emergency vehicles) are not allowed on the trail.

Horses are not allowed. Other pets must be kept on a maximum 6-foot leash and under control.

The trail is open only during daylight hours.

Alcohol is prohibited.

[Last modified November 12, 2005, 00:54:17]