An afternoon ride on an electric bicycle ended in tragedy last Friday in Grand Blanc Township, when an 87-year-old man was struck by a vehicle and later died, police said.
The crash happened around 1:25 p.m. as both the rider and a motorist were heading north on Spinning Wheel Drive near Wishing Well Drive. The man was taken from the scene to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.
In a video message posted on social media after the crash, Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renye urged everyone to slow down and look out for one another on the streets.
“Share the roadway,” Renye said, adding that the reminder applies equally to drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, according to CBS News Detroit.
Preliminary Account From Police
Investigators said the driver of the vehicle was attempting to pass the e-bike when the rider turned in front of the car, leading to the collision. Police have not yet released the rider’s name.
No charges have been announced as the investigation continues, per CBS News Detroit.
Where It Happened
The fatal crash took place in a residential section of Grand Blanc Township in Genesee County, within the Wishing Well Estates area. Local planning records describe Spinning Wheel Drive and nearby Wishing Well Drive as neighborhood streets where summertime recreational riding is common, according to Grand Blanc Township.
E-Bikes And Older Riders
National data suggests crashes like this are becoming more common as e-bikes surge in popularity. A Columbia Mailman School of Public Health analysis found e-bike-related emergency room visits rose about 293% between 2019 and 2022.
Researchers say that because e-bikes are typically heavier and can reach higher speeds than many traditional bicycles, collisions can be more severe, especially for older riders who already face higher odds of hospitalization, according to the Columbia study.
Grand Blanc Township police are asking anyone with information about the crash to call the department’s non-emergency line at 810-424-2611. The department’s main office is listed at 5405 S. Saginaw Street in Grand Blanc, and investigators say they are still gathering evidence related to the incident, per the Grand Blanc Township Police Department.
