Jill and Eric Penne

UPDATED: Click here for an update on the boy and the accident.

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News from Coralville this morning says police are looking for a cyclist who struck a 4-year-old boy and then left the scene. They would like to find out more about what happened.

So would I, and I hope the guy comes forward, just as I hope any motorist who strikes a cyclist would.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the cyclist was on the sidewalk, where he shouldn’t have been. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the boy wandered into the cyclist’s path. It happens all the time.

I saw it just the other day on a trail ride with some friends. A young boy started pedaling across a trail bridge, stopped, then turned left as we were starting to pass him. Fortunately for all, we were going slow enough to react and not hurt him.

It was a good reminder to watch out for the little ones.

Slow down when you’re around them (and even around grown-up pedestrians). Be ready to stop. You never know what they might do, so be prepared for anything.

I’m inclined to believe that if you hit a kid with your bicycle, it’s your fault.

What do you think?