A female cyclist who was knocked off her bike by a car on Eleventh Ave has been taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders says the cyclist had been turning through stationary traffic and was hit by the vehicle near the intersection of Eleventh Ave and St John St at about 5.30pm.
'It [the car] had moved left into the bike lane to drive forward up to the left hand turn lane.
'She appears not to have seen the car, but we are yet to speak with the injured cyclist.”
St John paramedics attended the scene and later transported her to Tauranga Hospital with moderate injuries.
Police are now speaking with the driver of the car and other witnesses at the scene to ascertain details of the crash.
Glenn says traffic was down to one lane but the road has now been fully cleared.
8 comments
Just too Many
Posted on 25-02-2015 09:30 | By Surfwatch
I was riding down Marine Parade last week and a woman failed to give way to me. I hit the road quite hard. As I got up dazed all I got was a "are you OK" and then she drove off. I have had so many close calls. Drivers should give more care to treat cyclists like any other road user. Even when going slowly a bike in an accident can be very painful. More bikes should have cameras and take them to the Police for prosecution.
Confusing
Posted on 25-02-2015 15:38 | By maildrop
"The car moved into the bike lane but the cyclist failed to see the car". Sounds like the cops are blaming the cyclist already despite not having spoken to her yet.
@Surrfwatch
Posted on 25-02-2015 16:19 | By BennyBenson
so your're "assuming" this was the car drivers fault? even though the article says the cyclist was turning through traffic and she appears not to have seen the car! Just because you're a cyclist doesn't give you the right to do whatever you please on the road, cyclists also have to watch where they are going and who they are cutting in front of.
Yes Surfwatch
Posted on 25-02-2015 17:10 | By s83cruiser
you are right. Camera's on pushbikes would be a great idea then you all can review the stupid moves you make with total disregard to the fact that you are a small fish swimming with big, bigger and monstrous fish. Pushbike riders seem to think that road rules and just common sense doesn't apply to them and everyone else should be looking out for them...and by the way HI VIZ vests don't make you bullet proof either. HI VIZ is like belly buttons everyone is wearing it now days and it has lost it's impact. Don't pack you brain away when you put on the lycra because lycra a suite of armour doesn't make.
Typical attitude
Posted on 25-02-2015 17:15 | By Surfwatch
Typical attitude, that cyclists are at fault. Cycle Lanes are there for a reason. If a car goes into a cycle lane for any reason, the presumption should be that there is a cyclist there and has full right of way. i.e. the car must look out for any cyclists, not the other way around. Any interactions between cars and cyclists, the cyclist loses big time, worse if speed is a factor. When I had my accident, I had no phone, and when I limped onto the footpath in shock, the driver obviously thought I'm out of here. Very little damage to the car no doubt. Just shows the attitude of some car drivers - "cyclists are a nuisance and don't deserve respect". Now don't get me wrong some cyclists do, silly things but that does not mean its open season, be extra cautious.
More cyclist hate
Posted on 25-02-2015 19:24 | By Chris
I used to ride politely - I used to treat my morning commute as if I were an ambassador cyclist, trying to convey the right image. Not any more - I'm so sick of not being seen that I no longer care about any of them. I now ride fast, aggressively, and assertively, and I don't care if I piss off a few motorists. At the end of the day I need to take charge of my own safety, because for all the bleating and moaning from the motorists I'm still the vulnerable one, and apparently the only one who cares enough about my own safety to recognise the things around me.
@s83cruiser and BennyBenson
Posted on 25-02-2015 19:31 | By rmt
How fast in a bike lane is it okay for a car to drive? Are cars okay to drive on the pavement too and pedestrians are expected to get out of their way? After all, they're just little fish... Some cyclists do indeed ride like idiots, and it's not surprising they get knocked off. In this instance a cyclist moving across a bike lane ends up with a smashed ankle, tibia, fibula, a cracked vertebra, and 4hrs of surgery to rebuild her leg. As for lycra, what about work clothes? She was riding home from work on her mountain bike. And what about the poor guy who hit her? I bet he's going to be wishing he drove more carefully as if you'd seen the mess she was in you'd have been pretty upset too. How about thinking 'I need to share the road with care'?
Oropi Rd. Greerton.
Posted on 25-02-2015 20:29 | By GreertonCynic
Try riding a bicycle up that hill in peak hour traffic. It's downright frightening. Even the police cut through the cycle lane, let alone the Bayhopper buses. SPCA van got within 20mm of my handlebars. Going to invest in a camera to take footage to the powers that be.
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