Bicycle Coalition of Maine
Media Contact: Andrew Zarro
P: 207.558.2211
E: press@bikemaine.org
Hit-and-Run in Caribou Highlights Ongoing Crisis: 2025 Sees Surge in Pedestrian and Cyclist Crashes
(Caribou, ME) July 23, 2025 – A 31-year-old man was seriously injured Monday night in Caribou after being struck by a black SUV while walking along High Street near the Fire Station. The driver fled the scene, and police are continuing their search for the vehicle and any witnesses who may have information. This crash is the latest in a string of serious incidents involving vulnerable road users across the state.
So far in 2025, Maine has recorded 114 pedestrian crashes, resulting in 9 fatalities, and 84 bicycle crashes, including 2 fatalities. These numbers are not just statistics — they represent real people, families, and communities whose lives have been altered or ended on streets that should be safe for everyone.
“This horrifying trend demands action,” said Andrew Zarro, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. “How many more Mainers have to be hit, injured, or killed before every city and town commits to Vision Zero? These are not accidents — these are policy failures.”
As summer peaks and more people are walking and biking, the urgency to act has never been greater. Drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists are sharing space more frequently, and without infrastructure designed for safety, the consequences are often catastrophic.
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is calling on communities statewide to implement bold, immediate changes — including lowering speed limits in pedestrian-heavy areas, redesigning streets to prioritize safety over speed, improving visibility at crossings, and investing in public education and enforcement. Municipalities must also address the widespread gaps in how crash data is reported, tracked, and used to inform safety strategies.
“Every single crash is preventable,” added Zarro. “We will continue fighting for infrastructure, education, and accountability until Maine becomes a place where no one has to fear for their life when walking or biking.”
The hit-and-run in Caribou is not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a statewide emergency that demands a coordinated and sustained response from local and state officials. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine remains committed to working with communities across the state to make streets safer for everyone.
For more information or to support BCM’s work, visit www.bikemaine.org.
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The Bicycle Coalition of Maine works to make Maine a better and safer place to bike and walk. Founded in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has grown into the leading bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group in the state. The Coalition believes all Mainers should have access to bikes and bike education, and we envision a future where Maine’s roads, public ways, and trails are safe and accessible, resulting in cleaner travel options, improved health, and stronger economic benefits for Maine communities.