Bicyclist "Headed to Louisiana" Snarls Traffic on I-5

Not the Bicyclist(s) in Question--Photo Courtesy of Seattlest Flickr Contributor Josh Larios

As a driver, we admit we've cursed our bicycle brethren more than once and occasionally blamed them for things far beyond their two-wheeled control. That being said, we've never blamed cyclists for interstate or highway traffic, but after an incident on I-5 yesterday, that may change.

A bicyclist caused a big traffic snafu on I-5 after he pedaled down the HOV lane and crossed all five lanes of traffic during yesterday's commute. Drivers slammed on the brakes and swerved to avoid the cyclist, who according to witnesses, seemed to be in no particular hurry and unaware of the death trap he'd placed himself in. An off-duty police officer stopped the out-of-place bicyclist who said he was "riding his bike to Louisiana to help his brother." State troopers responded to the scene and took the 25-year-old bicyclist into custody and later to Harborview for a psychiatric evaluation. Luckily, no one was hurt in this bizarre incident, though the bicyclist will likely get a ticket for biking on the highway.