SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A bicyclist was killed Thursday morning on Cobbs Creek Parkway in Southwest Philadelphia after colliding with what police are calling a mack truck.
Authorities said just after 8 a.m., the 50-year-old bicyclist was riding in the same direction as the truck along 58th Street and Baltimore Avenue when the truck made a right turn and crashed into the man, pinning him under the vehicle.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene just before 8:30 a.m.
“We're obviously heartbroken to see this kind of thing happen, especially when it's another crash similar to the one that happened last summer, where the person was riding their bike in the bike lane, but it was a painted, unprotected bike lane, and it resulted in their death," said Jessie Amadio with Philly Bike Action.
Amadio says that intersection is one of the most dangerous ones in the city.
“It's like a horrible intersection, and neighbors have been asking the city for help for years. “And, you know, I just spoke with a local person who said it was only a matter of time. ”
Safety measures like red light cameras and street redesign are slated for 58th Street and Baltimore Avenue. Some of the changes are included in SEPTA’s Trolley Modernization Project, which will include a physical separation between cars and bikers.
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia said underride and side guards should be mandatory on private large trucks. The city made side guards a requirement on public trash trucks in 2018.
The Philadelphia Police Crash Investigation and Truck Enforcement Division are investigating the incident.