WINDHAM, Hillsborough County, N.H., Oct. 2, 2026 — A bicyclist was injured Thursday afternoon, October 1, when a vehicle struck her as she crossed Roulston Road at the Rail Trail crossing, according to Windham Fire and Police.
The crash was reported just before 2 p.m., Windham Fire said. Investigators said the woman had been riding north on the Rail Trail and was crossing Roulston Road when a vehicle driven by a lone female hit her.
Emergency crews arriving on scene found the bicyclist on the ground. She was conscious and alert and had been wearing a helmet. She suffered an ankle injury, was treated at the scene, and was taken to Parkland Medical Center in Derry. The driver was not hurt.
The Windham Police Department is investigating. We wish those injured a full recovery.
Where Rail Trail and Roadway Crossings Put Cyclists at Risk
Crashes between vehicles and cyclists cluster at the points where a bike path meets an active road, because the two kinds of traffic are built around different expectations. A driver on a straight stretch of road is scanning for cars, not for a rider emerging from a tree line or a paved trail at an angle. A cyclist moving at trail speed, with the crossing feeling like a continuation of the path, may not treat the road the way a driver treats it, as a space that needs a full stop and a clear look both ways.
Unsignalled crossings like these are especially prone to this kind of miscommunication. There is no light telling either party when to go, so the interaction depends on sightlines, posted signage, and each person noticing the other in time. Rural and suburban roads with rail trail crossings often have higher speed limits than city streets, which cuts down the time a driver has to react once a cyclist appears.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 22 percent of pedalcyclists who died had blood alcohol concentrations of .01 g/dL or higher in 2023. That figure is a reminder that trail and roadway crossings involve human judgment on both sides, not just road design, and that a crossing can fail even when visibility and signage are adequate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “dooring” and why is it dangerous?
Dooring happens when someone in a parked car opens a door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, giving the rider little or no time to react. It’s a leading cause of bike injuries in areas with on-street parking, since cyclists are often forced into vehicle traffic to avoid the door.
How can cyclists stay safer in traffic?
Riding predictably, using lights and reflective gear, making eye contact with drivers at crossings and intersections, and wearing a helmet all reduce injury risk. Slowing down at any point where a trail or bike lane meets a road is especially important since that’s where most car-bike collisions happen.
What should a cyclist do after a crash with a car?
Call 911, stay as still as possible until checked by EMS, and get a medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, since some, like soft tissue or head injuries, aren’t obvious right away. Get the responding agency’s report number and the names of any witnesses.
Do cyclists have the same road rights as drivers?
In New Hampshire, as in most states, cyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers when riding on public roads, including at crossings where a trail meets a street.
What to Do After a Bicycle Crash in Windham, NH
If you’re involved in or witness a bicycle crash in Windham, call 911 right away so police and EMS can respond. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s worth getting checked by a medical professional, since adrenaline can mask pain from an ankle, wrist, or head injury in the first hours after a crash.
Try to note what you saw, including where the cyclist and vehicle were coming from and any road or trail signage nearby, while it’s fresh in your memory. If you’re the cyclist, keep any gear, including your helmet, as it may help explain what happened. Follow up with the investigating agency for a copy of the report once it’s available.
