Cyclist dies in Lempäälä crash involving electric recumbent bike

A man died in a traffic collision in Lempäälä on Friday while crossing a pedestrian crossing on an electric-assisted, three-wheeled recumbent bicycle, Yle reports.

Police said the low recumbent bicycle had a flag attached to the end of a thin pole. Detective Chief Inspector Maijastiina Tammisto of the Central Finland Police Department described the type of crash as highly unusual.

The collision occurred on Ruskontie shortly after 9.30am. The male driver of a passenger car was travelling from the Ruskontie roundabout towards the motorway southbound, in the direction of Helsinki, while the cyclist approached the crossing along a pedestrian and cycle path.

At the junction, the crossing was a continuation of the cycle path, and vehicles turning towards the motorway were required to give way.

The cyclist died at the scene. Police are investigating the case as endangering traffic safety and causing death, and are asking witnesses to come forward with any information.