ATV Bicycle Collision on Tricky Section of K&P Trail
There is a section of the K&P trail to the south of Sharbot Lake that runs parralel to Road 38 between Clement Roid and Wagner Road
At the south end of that stretch, just south of 13629 Road 38, there is a dip and a sharp turn to the right for trail users headed south. There is stop sign at that location. As trail users headed north reach that spot there is stop sign just before the trail rises and has a sharp left turn (see photo). The two stops signs are about 20 metres apart.
Last Sunday, July 26, David Miller was cycling north towards Sharbot Lake, when he came upon an ATV headed the other way at the top of the hill between the two stop signs. As he describes what happened, both vehicles were driving down the centre of the trail, which is showing signs of erosion on both sides, and could not avoid each other. The ATV, which David said was travelling very quickly. hit David's now former bike, as he attempted to dodge left. The impact sent the bike, and him, onto the ground, as the ATV dove into some shrubs a short distance away
In a phone interview the next day, David Miller said, “I feel like I've been touched by the hand of God. I have no idea why I am still alive, and not even seriously injured. My upper body is completely fine. My legs were all enmeshed with the frame of my bike, and I have a sprained ankle that I can’t rally walk on today. My left leg had a really nasty impact with huge bruise scrapes on my upper shin.”
David called 911 himself, and Central Frontenac Fire and Emergency were on the scene very quickly, followed by Frontenac Paramedics and OPP.
“I did not get much chance to talk to the people on the ATV because paramedics were there so quickly and they began to examine me right away,” he said.
The paramedics are mandated to treat and then transport to hospital, but after they determined that Miller did not appear to have broken any bones, he just wanted to go home, and he signed a waiver refusing the transport.
A day later he said he was “hobbling around in my back yard.”
David said that he has walked or cycles on the trail pretty much every day for the past year, and he has noticed that, particularly in certain spots, the edges of the trail have deteriorated over that time, forcing users to the centre of the trail. He said that when cycling or walking you can normally see or hear ATV’s as they approach, but on the spot where the collision took place it is impossible to see, and even hard to hear, when a vehicle is approaching from the other direction.
He gave a statement to police about what happened, and said that he told police he did not think it possible for the ATV to pick up that much speed if it had stopped at the stop that is metres from the crash site
The Frontenac News contacted the Hartington OPP detachment on Monday, but did not receive a response to an inquiry about their investigation into the matter before our publication deadline on Tuesday.
According to the Frontenac ATV Club, trails are not subject to the Highway Act, and therefore the stop signs posted on trails do not have a legal status, and are considered as merely suggestions.
David's mother, Nancy, posted about the collision on the Sharbot Lake Community Facebook page on Monday. The Frontenac ATV club helps manage the trail between Verona and Sharbot Lake, and uses volunteer trail warden to educate ATV riders and other users about safe use of the trail, and about the requirement for ATV users to buy a pass from either the Ontario Association of ATV clubs, of which the Frontenac club is an affiliate, or the Eastern Ontario Trails Alliance.
The club put up the following response to Nancy Miller's post.
“The Frontenac ATV Club is aware of the recent incident in which a young cyclist was struck by a side‑by‑side on the trail.
“Our club has always promoted safe, responsible riding and respectful sharing of the trails with all users, including cyclists, walkers, runners, and families enjoying the outdoors. Multi‑use trails require patience, awareness, and courtesy from everyone, and we remain committed to fostering that environment, but no matter how hard we try, there will always be bad apples as with anything good anyone tries to do.
“To support this, the Frontenac ATV Club will be increasing our Trail Warden patrols in the area. Our wardens focus on education, safety awareness, and encouraging riders to operate responsibly and respectfully. Their presence helps reinforce safe speeds, proper trail etiquette, and positive interactions between all trail users.
“We appreciate the continued support of the Central Frontenac community and will continue working to ensure our trails remain safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.”
David Miller is the Tryon Road resident who was injured, luckily not too badly, when he was hit by an ATV on the K&P Trail on Sunday, July 26.
He is recovering and hoping to get back on his bike shortly, but does not have a bike to get back on since his has been damaged beyond repair.
He started a Gofundme campaign 4 days ago hoping to raise $1,000, which is what he paid for the bike when he bought it last summer. He has raised $475 as of Tuesday, August 4th. The campaign can be accessed by navigating to gofundme.com and typing David Miller in the search bar.
David intends to donate any money he raises over the $1,000 target to the Frontenac ATV club to promote trail safety and maintenance. ■
