HARWICH, MASSACHUSETTS (September 29, 2025) – A pedestrian sustained life-threatening injuries in a Harwich bicycle accident along the Cape Cod Rail Trail near Pleasant Lake Avenue.
Cape Cod officials are saying that the collision took place around 10:35 a.m. on Wednesday. A person riding an e-bike was involved in a collision with a pedestrian on the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
The force of the impact caused the pedestrian to be impaled by the handlebars of the bicycle. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim.
They had to use a series of special tools to remove the bicycle. That person was airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
A full investigation into the cause of the Harwich bicycle accident remains ongoing.
Who is Liable for Bicycle Accidents Like This One?
Bicyclists have all the rights and privileges associated with people driving motor vehicles. They must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in a walkway. This necessitates that they maintain adequate distance between themselves and any pedestrian. If a bicyclist fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are many ways that a bicyclist may have acted negligently in colliding with a pedestrian.
- Speed: A bicyclist may have been traveling at an excessive speed that endangers the well-being of people traveling on a trail.
- Follow Distance: A bicyclist may have followed pedestrians at an unsafe distance that didn’t give them enough time to stop to avoid a crash.
- Weaving: A bicyclist may have weaved in and out of pedestrian traffic.
Bicyclists must share trails with other cyclists and pedestrians. But in far too many situations, cyclists fail to properly scan the path ahead of them for hazards. If a bicyclist acts negligently and collides with a pedestrian, the person that they hit can pursue damages through a civil claim. Depending on the facts of any case, there could be additional sources of liability for any pedestrian accident.
Product Liability Claims Involving E-Bicycles
The company that manufactured an e-bike could be held liable for a collision through a product liability claim. Many people are injured in collisions with e-bikes every year. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
“There were an estimated 360,800 emergency department visits related to all micromobility devices from 2017 through 2022. Fractures, followed by contusions/abrasions, are the two most common injuries. The most frequently injured body areas are the upper and lower limbs, as well as the head and neck.”
There are many ways that an e-bike can be considered defective.
- Battery Defects: Any type of defect with the battery on an e-bike could cause it to suddenly lose power.
- Brakes: The brakes on an e-bike could fail due to faults with the hydraulic lines.
- Structural Issues: Any type of cracks or defective welds on the bike could cause a catastrophic collapse to take place.
If a bicycle has a design defect that contributed to a pedestrian accident, this could create the elements for a product liability claim. In particular, Trek and Shimano are facing a legal case after a man’s thigh was impaled by a bike brake lever. Attorneys for the plaintiff have argued that the accident was the result of negligent design. They alleged that the two companies failed to properly inspect and assess the safety of the V-brake.
Need Help Investigating a Massachusetts Bicycle Accident?
We at DiBella Law extend our best wishes to the pedestrian injured in this Harwich bicycle accident. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Harwich bicycle accident? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of Boston bicycle accident lawyers is here to help you. We care deeply that victims get the support and justice that they deserve under the law. In fact, we’ve recovered millions for victims all across Massachusetts. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after a collision, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.