VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Changes to a street in Virginia Beach were intended to make it safer, but one resident said it led to him falling off his bicycle. 

Now, he’s using the frightening moment to warn others about the new traffic changes.

It happened on a stretch of Mediterranean Avenue, where the city has installed raised medians and curb bulb-outs to address speeding concerns, but some residents have concerns about the effectiveness.

“Especially if you bike it regularly, I think that’s what my disadvantage was. I bike it all the time, and I just never expected that to be there,” Virginia Beach resident Andrew McCulley said.

What began as a normal bike ride for McCulley quickly took a turn.

“I didn’t notice this curb until I was right up on top of it. I hit my brakes, locked my front wheel up, the whole bike flipped forward and threw me off right into here,” McCulley said.

He told 10 On Your Side this new addition to Mediterranean Avenue was the culprit for his fall. According to the City of Virginia Beach, these are called curb bulb-outs or curb extensions.

This is what it looks like:

“I really don’t know what the purpose of these is because cars don’t slow down for them. They can just swallow through at the same rate of speed, but bicycles are going to see a serious injury if they hit them.”

The purpose for the bulb-outs are to help narrow the street and create safer crossings as traffic flow and speeding on the popular street has been a big concern.

The City of Virginia Beach provided the following statement:

“Safety is our top priority. Mediterranean Avenue is receiving permanent upgrades designed to improve both pedestrian and traffic safety. These enhancements are part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safer and more accessible community.”

The city said the bulb-outs have been placed within the parking lanes, lanes that cyclists often ride in.

“I can tell you right now bicyclists use it more than people use it for just parking,” McCulley said. “At the Oceanfront, people do bike. It’s a recreational area and more broadly I’m hoping that we can improve the biking infrastructure around here because we do need more bike lanes.”

McCulley suffered injuries to his hand and foot from the fall. But he’s thankful that it didn’t turn out worse, which is what he fears could happen if people don’t make themselves aware of the new changes.

10 On Your Side also asked the City of Virginia Beach additional questions about the project. Read below:

Q: Some residents are concerned that the new traffic improvements/changes on Mediterranean haven’t been clearly displayed. Are there any signs, flashing lights or anything else in place to alert people of the changes?
A: Temporary traffic measures have been in place for over two years to help familiarize the public with the planned traffic calming layout. During the construction phase, construction signage was posted to alert drivers. Currently, traffic cones are in place at all curb bulb outs and raised medians while we await final pavement striping. The project was also posted under the City’s “Road Closures and Impacts” section on the City website to notify the public of upcoming work.

Q: What do the curb bulb-outs do?
A: The curb bulb-outs are raised concrete islands placed within the parking lanes. Along with raised medians, they are part of the project’s traffic calming design. These features narrow the roadway and break up the visual continuity of the travel lane, encouraging drivers to slow down and drive more cautiously. Together, they help reduce vehicle speeds and improve overall safety along the corridor.

Q: Are all the improvements complete or are there more coming?
A: The concrete work is complete, but the project is not yet finished. Final pavement markings are being scheduled for installation. These markings will help define travel lanes and reinforce the traffic calming layout.

Q: Is it important for citizens, cyclists, and drivers to use extra caution as they get used to the changes? One person reported a minor bike accident related to the new change.
A: Yes, it’s important for all roadway users to use extra caution while adjusting to the updated layout. While the concrete features are new, temporary delineator posts have been in place for over two years to simulate the planned curb extensions and help the public become familiar with the traffic calming design. As with any change, a brief adjustment period is expected, and we encourage drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to remain alert when traveling through the area.

Q: Was it important to complete these safety upgrades before the start of a busy summer season?
A: Yes, completing the upgrades ahead of the summer season was important given the increased activity in the area during that time. Mediterranean Avenue sees higher volumes of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers during the summer months, so having these improvements in place helps enhance safety during peak demand. The timing also aligned with coordination efforts for other nearby projects, helping to minimize overall disruptions and avoid overlapping construction impacts in the resort area.

Q: What is the overall goal of the Mediterranean Avenue traffic calming project?
A: The goal of the Mediterranean Avenue traffic calming project is to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety for all users along the corridor. By introducing physical elements like curb bulb-outs and raised medians, the project encourages more cautious driving, reduces speeds and creates a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists. These improvements are part of the City’s strategic traffic calming program, which focuses on slowing vehicles and enhancing safety.