Portal Trail photo by dauw.
Bad news out of Hartford, CT: A mountain biker who was injured at the West Hartford Reservoir (managed by the Metropolitan District Commission) sued and won $2.9 million from a jury. Maribeth Blonski, who once hosted a mountain biking television show on a local access channel, was injured when she clipped a steel gate installed to keep vehicles out of the area. Blonski broke four vertebrae in her neck, though the long term implications of her injury are not mentioned in the article I read. The jury did find, however, that Blonski was (only) partially responsible for her injuries.
As mountain bikers we all need to take personal responsibility whenever we ride because when landowners get sued, they close trails to bikes. For every landowner who loses a lawsuit like this, there are easily a dozen or more who get scared and close their trails just to be safe.
Every time we saddle up we make a choice and sometimes that choice can have unforeseen consequences. Mountain biking is a dangerous sport (that’s part of what makes it fun) and just like everything else, there are risks involved. If something seems unsafe to you (like a metal gate), get off your bike and walk around it or even better, get back in your car and go home. Don’t risk hurting yourself and ruining a good thing for everyone else.
19 Comments
May 13, 2010
May 12, 2010
May 12, 2010
Awesome response 'abovetheridge'!!
May 12, 2010
These types of people need to take responsbility and accountability for what they do, PERIOD. My shoe comes untied, I trip on the lace, fall and bust out my teeth on the sidewalk. Is the shoe manufacturer responsible for laces that come undone by themselves? Jeesh, we could all go on and on. Shame on her for filing this suit, shame on the greedy lawyers for viewing this as a $ making opportunity and shame on this jury for allowing that verdict. It's all BS.
Jun 27, 2010
May 13, 2022
Thanks for trail details, if your description is accurate it’s hard to understand how she hit such an obvious “obstruction” if she was paying attention. I’m curious what the bike speed limit was for that type of paved, multiuser trail, I find they’re typically posted @ 15 mph, if that was the case she was riding negligently and sorry “forgot” the post was there should be on her as a frequent user.. seems like she was speeding, daydreaming or whatever but clearly not paying attention to a yellow post smack in front of her. I would hope the defendant can appeal that claim.
May 17, 2010
I don't thing 20% is out of the question!
May 11, 2010
Not a good precedent.
May 12, 2010
Makes me wonder what her show was all about...
May 12, 2010
May 18, 2010
Mar 30, 2015
May 12, 2010
May 11, 2010
May 13, 2010
May 13, 2010
May 13, 2010
I hope she suffers some serious pain!
May 17, 2010
May 17, 2010