Police are investigating allegations the cycling accident on Welcome Bay Road on Tuesday night was deliberately caused.
A cyclist in the group was taken to hospital after several cyclists collided with the rear of a vehicle on a bend near the intersection with Waitaha Road.
The scene on Welcome Bay road after the accident. Photo: Cameron Avery.
'We were advised of the circumstances at the incident and the matter is being investigated,” says Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion.
'I don't propose to air various aspects of the investigation publically.”
Cyclists in the group have complained on social media that the driver deliberately braked to cause the accident.
Ian says one of the riders has emailed a complaint to police.
Police say the accident happened about 7pm.
One of the cyclists ran into the rear of a vehicle that stopped or slowed for some reason, says Ian.
The cyclist that struck the vehicle was then struck by a second cyclist, who was in turn struck by a third.
'That second cyclist I understand was taken to Tauranga hospital with reasonably serious injuries,” says Ian.
10 comments
Hmmmm
Posted on 07-10-2016 08:52 | By How about this view!
I have no sympathy for people that believe that confrontation (Roadrage) is an acceptable practice, NONE WHATSOEVER. I CAN understand the frustrations around Lycra clad morons on narrow twisting roads however. So cam I suggest to those that organise and marshal these regular excursions for the feeble minded that you kick yourself up wherever and ORGANISE a little thought process when choosing which roads to parade along. We have built you cycle tracks, painted lines on the roads and footpaths and yet, as a group, you still manage to upset the natives to a point where people want to stop and assault you or run you off the road. Get off your bike, step back and observe the world around you.... YOUR RIGHTS are no more important or valid than anyone elses' but you WILL come off worse when things turn to custard.
Feeble Mind!
Posted on 07-10-2016 09:49 | By UW
Narrow minded comments like above, show how egocentric some people are. "We have built cycle tracks" if you were the sort to take up a shovel on an MtB track it's obvious the comment would be intelligent. Then "you will come off worse" shows us all who's side you are on. There should be no us and them, just common sense in the car, on the bike, in the boat and writing words.
Safe following distance
Posted on 07-10-2016 10:52 | By bubbles
So wait...if you're driving a car, and you run into the back of them, its your fault for not following at a safe distance. So why is it not the same for a cyclist?
Glad...
Posted on 07-10-2016 12:41 | By GreertonBoy
No one got seriously hurt... thank goodness, could have been so much worse. I do agree with how about this view and bubbles. Life is full of risks which each must calculate. To me, the risk of cycling on narrow windy roads with traffic is far too great, it is almost as risky as wearing that tight lycra in public? Cyclists demand that motorists show them some respect... well, news flash... cyclists need to show motorists equal respect.... not to mention, I believe cyclists should pay their way like motorists do... at least pay some sort of road rescue fee. I hope the injured get better soon.
Cyclists
Posted on 07-10-2016 13:25 | By Kenworthlogger
Most of them seem fine and i do my best to give them as much room as i can but on some of these very narrow roads when mobs of cyclists ride more than 1 abreast so they can chat is asking for trouble. Clearly the lycra is squeezing their brain too much. Some of these roads we travel its hard to fit my truck and a vehicle coming the other way let alone a circus of riders. Meanwhile the cycle tracks are empty...
NZ Road Users
Posted on 07-10-2016 13:53 | By BennyBenson
Both motorists and cyclists in NZ are the worst I've come across anywhere in the world that I've driven. Trying to cause an accident and hurt someone is disgraceful and so is cycling too fast around traffic that you are unable to stop if someone breaks..big attitude changes required in this country, it's appalling.
Bike safely
Posted on 07-10-2016 14:28 | By Nash
Several cars got held up the other night down Oceanbeach Rd as these lycra clad idiots biked in a tight bunch of a dozen several abreast the length of the road, oblvious to to traffic around them. Then they veered into Girvan and down to Papamoa, never glancing around them. Now it's warmer expect to see more of this behaviour on narrow roads. Bike Clubs - YOU have responsibility for training members to use public roads with regard for vehicles! If you can't stick to single file, don't race on the roads. It's not the bloody Tour de France!
@ UW
Posted on 07-10-2016 14:57 | By How about this view!
There's always one lame brain that will attack the messenger rather than the message. Undoubtedly you have exerted some effort into providing a venue for YOUR entertainment. WE the ratepayers have had money removed from our pockets to keep YOUR LOT SAFE, by providing cycle paths and road marking. If you CHOOSE to participate in YOUR recreational activity away from the traffic then at least you have a modicum of common sense, but judging from your comments it is limited. Your right to ride, what I would view as a childs' toy, is your business, but when we have headlines highlighting the irrationality of cycling on own inadequate roads your rights should be questioned and managed appropriately, because you are not using the safety measures that are available to you for your own safety.
Cycling
Posted on 08-10-2016 07:56 | By OAP
Both my wife and I ride bikes for pleasure and fitness, but we always ride single file and never so close that we can't stop in time.These lycra clad cycle club morons have to be some of the most arrogant people we have ever met. Unfortunately it isn't only on the roads that lycra causes trouble, we often ride along the harbour side in the Ferguson Park area,but it is getting spoilt by ,often elderly, lycra clad idiots, who race along flat out with no consideration for others. As a previous commentator said ,I think the Lycra squeezes their brains !
Overit
Posted on 08-10-2016 08:45 | By overit
As a cyclist and a driver, I agree some cyclists do push the boundaries with their spilling over the road. Please everyone just keep a cool head. Cars also try to dominate the roads, especially those drivers in big 4wd's.
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