bear/bicyclist collision (Montana)

[Emily]

ended better than yu would think...

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2008/0 ... 44dj82.txt


Teacher strikes bear while riding bike to school
MISSOULA, Mont. - A Missoula middle school teacher suffered some bruising and a big scratch on his back after he struck a bear while riding his bicycle to school.

Jim Litz, 57, said he was traveling about 25 mph Monday morning when he came upon a rise and spotted a black bear about 10 feet in front of him. He pedaled directly into the animal.

"I didn't have time to respond," he said. "I never even hit my brakes."

Litz tumbled over the handlebars, his helmet hit the bear's back, and the two went cartwheeling down the road.

The bear rolled over Litz's head, cracking his helmet, and scratched his back before scampering up a hill above the road.

Litz's wife drove by shortly after the crash and took her husband to the hospital. He hoped to be able to return to teaching science at Target Range Middle School on Friday.

"Yep, that's my bear story," Litz said. "That day it just happened to be on that particular corner of the road, and all the stars were lined up against me."

He added that he reported the incident to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and game wardens told him they didn't think the bear was seriously injured.

As for Litz's bike, a cyclo-cross, it survived unscathed aside for the front wheel coming slightly out of true. But pointing to his cracked helmet, Litz said he hopes the story inspires his students to wear their helmets.

"I was lucky. I was truly lucky, because I accosted the bear, and he let me live," Litz said. "I truly respect them. They're beautiful creatures."

Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com