Seattle cyclist hit by car lands on his feet - literally (+ video)

A cyclist in Seattle, Washington, had a narrow escape when he was hit by a car as he rode across a pedestrian crossing, quite literally landing on his feet after acrobatically leaping out of the saddle.

Jeff Word was riding across Valley St at the junction of Terry Avenue North and South Lake Union Park on May 18 when a motorist drove through a red light – the pedestrian crossing light was switched to green – although luckily she was alert to the situation and braked as she saw him coming across the road.

The incident was captured on film by fellow cyclist David Behroozi, who has uploaded the footage to the video-sharing site, YouTube.

Word, who used his right leg to kick off the car bonnet to launch his sudden and spectacular dismount, was unhurt, but the same can’t be said for his bike, a Fuji Roubaix – although the motorist will be paying for the damage.

In an email to Seattle Bike Blog, Word said: ““I’m doing good. I was so happy that nothing happened I was pretty much laughing afterwards. I’m a chiropractor, too, so I get adjustments all the time.”

Behroozi said that glare from the evening sunshine may have been a factor in the incident: “The sun was to the west and was fairly bright but the woman in the car has her visor down and the visor shadow is across her face.”

Seattle Bike Blog said that better detours for non-motorised traffic were needed around the area, which is subject to construction works that will continue for several years.