July 30. By Dave Vieser. After a young woman on her bike was hit by a car at the crossing at Jetton Park, the Cornelius Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) will tackle the subject of pedestrian safety lights and motorists—many of them speeding—on Jetton Road.

On July 28 a motorist struck the woman on her bike in the crosswalk while the lights were flashing.

Pedestrian safety lights: A good idea, but do all drivers stop?

Details

According to Gary Fournier of the Town Planning Dept., the cyclist was crossing Jetton on her bike with the yellow lights flashing.

One car that was traveling inbound on Jetton stopped, but another did not, and came into contact with the bike.

The cyclist was not seriously injured, although the bike was damaged.

“The Cornelius Police were able to identify the woman driving the car that struck the bicyclist and interviewed her later. She told the officers that she didn’t know what the flashing yellow lights meant, and she didn’t stop at the scene because she saw the bicyclist still sitting on her bike when she looked in the rearview mirror and didn’t think that she struck the bike,” Fournier said.

Citations issued

According to police, Nelder Andres Laniescruz of Charlotte received several citations.

The cyclist was not identified.

The TAB meeting, on Aug. 3, begins at 6pm at Town Hall.

Town officials are actively discussing the safety situation as well. Town Commissioner Denis Bilodeau said he will bring up the issue at Monday’s Town Board meeting. To read more about pedestrian safety, click here.