Cyclist injured in construction site incident in Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A Salt Lake City cyclist suffered a serious leg injury when her e-bike slipped in a construction zone in the Avenues neighborhood.

The accident occurred on August 11 as Kiera Ohrn was riding her bicycle along Virginia Street and Second Avenue, an area currently undergoing a major redevelopment project.

Ohrn, who was returning from a concert at Red Butte Garden, was riding with a friend around 10 p.m. when her e-bike struck unmarked debris in the road.

MORE from KUTV: Two people charged with alleged involvement in Winco parking lot murder

“I tried to avoid a car that was overtaking us and then crashed into the debris,” Ohrn said.

During the fall, Ohrn's e-bike landed on her and she suffered a fractured femur just above the knee. Since then, she has had to undergo several days of surgery and will have to recover for months.

In response to the incident, Salt Lake City authorities confirmed that the area is an ongoing project to replace curbs, gutters and sidewalks on the east side of Virginia Street.

The city spokesman explained that the specific conditions of the area at the time of the accident in Ohrn were currently being examined.

The area where Ohrn collapsed was filled with gravel and is now marked with signs further north along Virginia Street.

Despite these changes, Ohrn advocates for improved bicycle path infrastructure to prevent future accidents.

“I would like to see more bike lanes,” she said. “I told myself that when I get back on my e-bike after this, I will only ride on bike lanes and not take shortcuts or ride through residential areas because I don't want to risk something like this happening again.”

Ohrn has not yet filed a formal complaint with the city, but an online fundraiser has been set up to help cover her medical costs.

___