A Seattle cyclist claims that redesigned bike lanes contributed to a serious collision with a motorist who turned in front of him. The lawsuit states that 26-year-old Aviv Litov was riding in June 2024 when a Tesla SUV driver turned into a protected bike lane to enter a parking lot. Litov collided with the side of the Tesla, resulting in a traumatic brain injury described in the lawsuit as ‘life-altering’, according to Komo News.
The collision occurred on June 20, 2024. According to a GoFundMe, “Aviv was catastrophically injured in a collision with a car while riding his bike to Seward.”
Redesigned bike lanes to blame?
“The Defendant City of Seattle implemented a bike lane configuration in the Green Lake neighborhood, hoping that it would make traveling safer. Instead, it negligently created dangerous sight obstructions that resulted in a collision between a right-turning car and bicycle with catastrophic results,” the lawsuit reads. “The sight obstructions created by the parked car configurations are dangerous, particularly at driveways or intersections when drivers need to cross over the bike lane to complete a turn,” the lawsuit states.
Litov’s bicycle hit the side of the Tesla, which resulted in Litov suffering a traumatic brain injury. The lawsuit described Litov’s injuries as ‘life-altering.’https://t.co/9bQPIMCmEb
— KOMO News (@komonews) January 9, 2025
The bike lanes were redesigned in 2019 and 2021. With the new design, cars park in between the bike lane and traffic. However, the bike lanes are still painted—not fully separated. Litov’s lawyers say that the cars being parked there creates a big problem for drivers and cyclists and it obstructs views. “The sight obstructions created by the parked car configurations are dangerous, particularly at driveways or intersections when drivers need to cross over the bike lane to complete a turn,” the lawsuit continues.
The GoFundMe continues to state that funds raised here will go directly to Aviv’s mother and father (Tzachi & Lara) to help cover his cost of care and to support his family. “We will all be better off when Aviv is back to cooking, riding, and sharing stories with us all. Thanks for your help to get him there.”
It is currently sitting at US $23,927 of a $50,000 goal. Litov was also an active road racing cyclist, racing as a Cat 3. In his last race on June 15, the Taco Time Volunteer Park Criterium, he placed fourth.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…