A Canadian man is suffering from a fractured scapula, cardiac contusion and bruised ribs after colliding with a bear while riding his bike north of Vancouver.
Kevin Milner was riding the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve near Vancouver when he spotted the black bear in the grass. Wildlife, including deer, is common along the thickly forested double-track.
But instead of ignoring the cyclist, the bear charged forward. Milner crashed into the bear’s shoulder and went flying through the air.
“I did a flip over him. I pretty much kissed the bear and then I guess I flew through the air,” Milner told North Shore News. The 30-year-old landed hard against his side and the bear – likely frightened – bolted into the woods.
As Milner lay on the ground bleeding, two cyclists dashed off to an area with mobile service to contact paramedics. Another cyclist, riding an e-bike, stayed with the battered rider.
Milner was spitting up blood and couldn’t walk properly or even lift his leg up.
But as the two waited for help, they were terrified to see the bear return.
“He was like, “Oh shit, dude. He’s back. The bear’s back,’” said Milner. “Man, those bears are built like a truck … I thought I was going to die.”
But the animal, seemingly oblivious to the two men, returned to munch on the grass.
Growing concerned over his injuries, Milner asked to borrow the bystander’s e-bike so he could get to a shelter area. He rode the bike cautiously, holding the bike with one hand and using his thumb on his injured arm to inch the throttle forward.
When paramedics arrived, Milner was brought to Vancouver’s Lions Gate hospital, where he was treated for injuries and like a minor celebrity after word spread of his encounter.
Interactions between bears and humans are relatively common, but dangerous ones are rare. However, last year the province closed the entire Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve after a black bear reportedly bit a 10-year-old girl walking along a trail.
“The reason I rode in the … forest is just to get away from the traffic, right?” he said. “But after hitting the bear, I mean, it’s probably safer just riding with cars.”