A 43-year-old cyclist hit by a car driving 60 mph in one of Portland's most dangerous cyclist-vehicle crossings is suing Portland and Oregon for $1.35 million.

In a lawsuit filed Thursday, Robert A. Smith claims it shouldn't have come as a surprise to the government entities responsible for designing a North Greeley Avenue bike lane that a cyclist would one day be seriously injured or killed. The southbound bike lane crosses an on-ramp to Interstate 5 -- a section of road where the speed limit is 45 mph but drivers often travel 55 mph to 60 mph.

At about 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 21, 2017, Smith was pedaling toward downtown when he approached the area where the bike lane crosses the entrance to Interstate 5, the suit says. Smith looked behind him and saw a large truck off in the distance, and he estimated there was enough space for him to ride across the on-ramp in the bike lane, the suit says.

This Google Maps photo shows the North Greeley Avenue bike lane that travels across an on-ramp to Interstate 5.

That’s when a 1999 Honda Accord driven by Brandon Lee Swiger suddenly passed the truck and cut in front of it at more than 60 mph -- slamming into Smith, according to the lawsuit.

Smith suffered a broken leg, ankle, pelvis, hand and ribs in addition to chipped teeth, collapsed lungs and a traumatic brain injury. He was not wearing a helmet -- not a requirement under Oregon law.

According to court records, Portland police cited Swiger, 35, of St. Helens for careless driving that contributed to an accident with serious physical injury to a vulnerable road user. Swiger was fined $445, but a judge lowered that amount to $250.

In addition to the city and state, Smith also is suing Swiger, who couldn’t be reached Friday for comment. Officials from the city attorney's office and the Oregon Department of Transportation declined comment.

Smith's lawsuit also faults the city and the state for failing to notify approaching drivers that a bike lane is about to cross the on-ramp.

Jim Coon, a Portland attorney representing Smith, said the city had considered redesigning the crossing but had delayed it. It’s amazing Smith is alive, Coon said.

“Some people get killed at 10 mph, and some people survive this kind of thing,” Coon said. “The design of this particular intersection was discussed by the city as a very dangerous one. And it’s fairly obvious: You’re asking bikes to cross the on-ramp where people are going freeway speeds. It’s basically a recipe for disaster.”

Smith was hospitalized then sent to a rehabilitation facility before returning home in February. He used a wheelchair for months, but today he’s able to walk with the use of a cane.

“He fears he won’t be able to ride his bike again, which is something he really treasured doing,” said Portland attorney Cynthia Newton, who is representing Smith with Coon.

Smith's medical bills have surpassed $358,000. He also is seeking $1 million for his suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

The suit was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Read the lawsuit here.

-- Aimee Green