(PORTLAND, Maine) April 14, 2023 – An Auburn man was struck and killed by a driver while walking his bike across the road. The 20-year old man was killed while crossing Minot Ave near Western Ave on Thursday afternoon.
“A tragic loss of life of someone walking their bike across a Maine road,” said Bicycle Coalition of Maine Executive Director Jean Sideris. “This death underscores the need for changes in roadway design and the importance of investing in safe places for people to bike and walk.”
The area where the crash occurred is known for high vehicle speeds and a lack of pedestrian accommodations. The nearest crosswalk to the intersection of Minot and Western Ave is over 300 feet to the west, and crosses four lanes of traffic on Minot Avenue. This intersection saw a non-fatal pedestrian crash in 2021, and a non-fatal bicycle crash in 2017. The entire Minot Ave/Rotary St/Washington St “rotary” was a priority location for the MaineDOT’s” Heads Up!” pedestrian safety planning initiative, and was recommended for additional study to calm traffic and improve pedestrian access.
The names of the victim and driver have not been released. The victim died of his injuries shortly after being taken to Central Maine Medical Center. The police are still investigating the crash. The BCM urges law enforcement to carefully examine the roadway conditions, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, history of crashes at this location, driver behavior, phone use records, and any additional circumstances that may have been contributing factors.
This is the fourth pedestrian to have been killed on Maine roads in 2023.
###
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine works to make Maine a better and safer place to bike and walk. Founded in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has grown into the leading bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group in the state. The Coalition believes all Mainers should have access to bikes and bike education, and we envision a future where Maine’s roads, public ways, and trails are safe and accessible, resulting in cleaner travel options, improved health, and stronger economic benefits for Maine communities.