CINCINNATI -- A cyclist was left hospitalized Sunday after a hit-and-run crash. Neighbors say it's another example of why the city needs safer streets.
A vehicle hit Michael Sadoff, 44, as he rode in a bike lane near Spring Grove Avenue and Arlington Street, in the Camp Washington neighborhood. A friend, Robert Carlisle, said Sadoff has a fractured tibia and vertebra.
"It's likely he'll be able to walk again. It'll take him a few weeks to get back on his feet," Carlisle said.
Spring Grove is part of the major arterial roadway linking the Northside neighborhood to Queensgate and Downtown.
Northside itself has a history of having to cope with roadway safety issues. Last fall, well-known Northside business owner Sarah Cole was struck and killed while crossing Hamilton Avenue, which cuts through the heart of the urban neighborhood. Less than a week later, another pedestrian was struck while crossing a nearby portion of Hamilton. The street also lacks bike lanes.
The two incidents, among others, prompted community leaders to organize a "walkabout rally," meant to bring awareness to pedestrian traffic along the busy street.
Workers at Spun Bicycles in Northside said they've seen an uptick in crashes. Steve Tershak, a competitive cyclist, said he's been hit once before. He believes more can be done to keep roads and bicyclists safe.
"I choose my routes more judiciously. If it has a bike lane, I'm going to take that route over something that might be shorter or quicker because I value my safety," he said.
The city has a plan for bike lanes along two segments of Spring Grove Avenue where the bike lanes are interrupted. One stretch runs between Geringer Street and Elmore Avenue, the other between Blue Rock Street and Dane Avenue. The lanes should be installed this summer, Councilwoman Amy Murry previously told WCPO.
Cincinnati police ask anyone with information on Sunday morning's hit-and-run to call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.
