MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Meridian Township Police say when the clock hit around 7 on the corner of Marsh Road and Times Square Drive on September 15--the sinking sun added a risk for two cyclists--a bike/car accident.

"People tend not to see cyclists, so you always have to be defensive and drive defensively," said Meridian Township Assistant Police Chief Ken Plaga.

They were at the traffic light--new at this intersection--crossing with the right of way and on the crosswalk. They were hit by a car making a left turn onto Marsh.

The two cyclists were taken to Sparrow Hospital with serious injuries.

"Neither one of these cyclists had their helmets on--and the importance of helmets and the extent of injuries could have been mitigated had they have both had their helmets on," said assistant chief Plaga.

Having your helmet strapped before you peddle off is something Haslett resident Richard Baumgartner knows the importance of--all too well.

"I've been in accidents before and I've come out lucky, but yeah it's very frightening," said Richard Baumgartner, "I had a helmet on, which may have saved my life. I spent a couple days in Sparrow hospital."

Baumgartner says cyclists like him appreciate a couple things from drivers--a few feet of clearance--and putting down the phone. Because at the end of the day….

"It's the same road, and we all have the same rules and we have to follow them, said Baumgartner."