2011 Cyclist fatalities

[Mulger bill]

I remember reading a Victorian cyclist death yesterdayso I did a quick Google news search and the saved examples include "cyclists killed". So decided to create a rather morbid thread documenting fatal incidents involving cyclists here. I don't know how long this thread will last due to its sensitive nature but I wanted to post the cyclists deaths here instead of creating different threads by state.


<Moderater addition - when participation and contributing in this thread, please take care to respect the family and friends when commenting. As a very sensitive topic, I would note that for this reason this thread is on trial>

[CommuRider]

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local ... 38218.aspx

A BALLARAT cyclist has died after his bike and a car collided near Geelong yesterday.

Paramedics treated the rider, 53, of Lake Wendouree, at the scene but were unable to revive him.

The mother of killed Ballarat cyclist Amy Gillett choked back tears yesterday when she heard the news as her daughter's tribute event was being held nearby.

The accident at Drysdale happened just kilometres from the route taken by almost 3000 cyclists in the sixth annual Amy's Ride.

The news of the death ripped through the cycling community as so many of them gathered in the Geelong region yesterday for Amy's Ride and the Jayco Cycling Classic.

Leading Senior Constable Jason Williamson, of Geelong Highway Patrol, said the man was riding west along Murradoc Road, near Clarendon Road, about 9.20am when he and a Honda CRV collided.

Witnesses told police the Honda, driven by a 27-year-old Point Lonsdale woman, was travelling in the same direction as the cyclist when the collision occurred.

"Our investigations are ongoing. She (the driver) was extremely traumatised but drugs and alcohol were not a factor," Sen Const Williamson said.

The man was not taking part in the Amy's Ride when the incident occurred.

The annual cycling event is held to promote awareness of safe and responsible road use and raise funds for the Amy Gillett Foundation, which was set up after Gillett was hit and killed by a car while cycling in Germany in 2005.

Her mother Mary Safe, who was in the region yesterday for Amy's Ride, wiped tears from her face when she heard of another rider being killed.

"I feel shocked to hear someone lost their life on the road and I understand the grief that the family will now have to deal with, it's just unnecessary," Mrs Safe said.

"It reinforces why we need to share the road. We just all need to slow down. Cars don't kill cyclists, drivers do."

Australian sprint king Robbie McEwen, a winner of 12 stages in the Tour De France, said he was deeply saddened by the news.

"That's the news that nobody wants to hear about anybody," he said.

"It really hits home when you think about your own own situation and not coming back to your family.

"That's what makes it so shocking and such a tragedy."

[CommuRider]

http://www.news.com.au/national/speed-c ... 5980864513

Police said a cyclist in his twenties was killed in a single-vehicle accident at Booroobin, near Maleny, on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, taking the Queensland toll to 12 for the holiday period.

[queequeg]

http://www.news.com.au/national/speed-cameras-hailed-as-road-toll-falls-10pc/story-e6frfkw0-1225980864513

Police said a cyclist in his twenties was killed in a single-vehicle accident at Booroobin, near Maleny, on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, taking the Queensland toll to 12 for the holiday period.

According to the Police Media Release, it was a Motorcyclist.

[trailgumby]

Well, I suppose that's consistent. At least one material fact wrong per newspaper story.

[ruscook]

http://www.news.com.au/national/speed-cameras-hailed-as-road-toll-falls-10pc/story-e6frfkw0-1225980864513

Police said a cyclist in his twenties was killed in a single-vehicle accident at Booroobin, near Maleny, on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, taking the Queensland toll to 12 for the holiday period.

Very sad for the person and their families. Horrible to hear of anyone badly injured or killed.

Love this crap in the paper though:
"Nationwide campaigns targeting speeding drivers appear to have brought results, with a 10 per cent reduction in road deaths last year. Overall, 1368 people died in road crashes last year, down 139 from 1507 deaths in 2009."

Here's some figures from the Aust Bureau of Stats
Month 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Total 1970 1767 1755 1764 1817 1737 1715 1621 1583 1627 1602 1603 1464

Yes 2010 was good year, and one of the best on record, BUT 2008 was better then 2009 and the second best on for the last 10 years or so. To what do they attribute 2008's good figures. Also how many km's travelled were there? There's a lot more factors than just speed involved in the road toll.


As an aside as far as the Xmas toll goes. Our daily average Aus wide for road deaths is 4.45 for the last 5yrs. So this year we had 11 days of Xmas 24/12 to 3/1 so that should equate to 49 deaths. According to the report we had 44 or about 10% down. That's pretty much the same reduction as the annual figures: i.e. 2010 (1368) compared to 2009 (1507) or down 139. So overall Xmas is no more dangerous on the roads than any other time of the year.

[CommuRider]

http://www.news.com.au/national/speed-cameras-hailed-as-road-toll-falls-10pc/story-e6frfkw0-1225980864513

Police said a cyclist in his twenties was killed in a single-vehicle accident at Booroobin, near Maleny, on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, taking the Queensland toll to 12 for the holiday period.

According to the Police Media Release, it was a Motorcyclist.

Ugh. If it's just a copy and paste job for "journalists" these days, it would help if they're pasting job was more accurate. Can't they tell the difference between a cyclist and motorcyclist?!

[CommuRider]

Technically not a 2011 fatality but community's tribute to the 13yo killed by a truck 2 days before Christmas.

http://heidelberg-leader.whereilive.com ... n-ivanhoe/

TRIBUTES are flowing on the streets of Ivanhoe for a teenage boy who was struck and killed by a truck two days before Christmas.

Flowers and cards dedicated to 13-year-old Jack Marchesin have been placed near Ivanhoe railway station where he died.

The Balwyn North boy and his father, Claudio, were riding their bikes along Marshall St on Thursday, December 23, when a truck turning left into Maltravers Rd hit the boy just before 10am.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman Phil Cullen said the teen died at the scene.

The truck driver stopped and helped police with their investigation and no charges have been laid.

Sen-Sgt Steve Reynolds, from Epping highway patrol, said the collision was a tragedy.

“Every fatality is tragic but the boy was so young and had his whole life ahead of him,” Sen-Sgt Reynolds said.

“It was very distressing not only for his family and friends but also for the truck driver.”

Diamond Creek highway patrol Sen-Sgt Tom Bentley said it was vital for motorists to be vigilant and drive safely over the holiday period.

[CommuRider]

Cyclist killed in crash

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011 ... 112725.htm

A 66-year-old cyclist was killed when he was hit by a car in Melbourne's east on Thursday night.

Police say a car turning on to Mount Pleasant Road in Forest Hill hit the man around 8.45pm (AEST).

The cyclist, from Nunawading, died at the scene.

Police are preparing a report for the coroner.

***
From here:
http://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/more-ne ... -hill.html

Police have been told a vehicle was heading west along Canterbury Road when it turned right onto Mount Pleasant Road and collided with the cyclist travelling in the opposite direction around 8.45pm.

[CommuRider]

His family wants a bike path on the stretch of road where he was killed. Good on them.

http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local ... 42137.aspx



The FAMILY of a Ballarat man killed in a cycling accident near Geelong last weekend wants a bike path built to make conditions safer for cyclists. The David Sidebottom Memorial Fund has been set up to fund construction of a dedicated cycling path in Ballarat. Mr Sidebottom, 53, of Lake Wendouree died after he was struck by a car while cycling along a road at Drysdale on January 2. His funeral will be held at Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts on Monday, from 11am. The family has requested donations to the fund be made in lieu of flowers. Contributions can be lodged at the funeral. Other donations can be sent to the David Sidebottom Memorial Fund, PO Box 400, Howitt St, Wendouree 3355.

Meanwhile, Geelong police are still investigating the cause of the collision which killed Mr Sidebottom. Senior Sergeant Shane Coles of Geelong Traffic Management Unit said no charges have been laid at this stage.

[itsaghostcar]

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/cycling-tragedy-highlights-city-risks-20110124-1a2e4.html

Cycling tragedy highlights city risks Glenda Kwek
January 24, 2011 - 2:24PM

The dangers of cycling in Sydney have been highlighted by what appears to have been a rider's tragic mistake.

The 34-year-old cyclist was travelling west on Belvoir Street near the intersection of Elizabeth Street in Surry Hills about 11.15am yesterday when he tried to stop suddenly but was thrown over his bicycle's handlebars into the path of a bus, a police spokeswoman said.

The secretary of the NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union's bus division, Raul Baonza, said the driver of what is understood to have been a Coogee-bound 372 was "extremely upset".

"He's received counselling and he's very, very upset. He's an experienced bus driver with an excellent driver record," Mr Baonza said.

He said the accident was a tragic reminder that cyclists "need to be extremely careful" when riding in the city.

"We don't object to cyclists using the roads. They have the right to use the roads as much as anybody else ... and need to follow the road rules."

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said minor accidents took place at the intersection of Elizabeth and Belvoir streets near her home "all the time".

Last year, 13 cyclists died in accidents in NSW, the Roads and Traffic Authority reported. The average number of deaths each year for 2007 to 2009 was 11.7.

Two cyclists have died this year in accidents, data from the NSW Centre for Road Safety showed.

A City of Sydney cycling spokesman David Woolbank said the number of riders on Sydney's roads was increasing by 40 per cent each year.

A university study on Sydney's cycling black spots, the Safer Cycling Study, is set to be launched within a fortnight and will track 2000 cyclists over a one-year period.

Lead researcher, Dr Roslyn Poulos from the University of NSW, said she hoped the study would highlight areas in Sydney where cyclists experience near misses, collisions and falls.

The police spokeswoman said a report on the Surry Hills accident was being prepared for the coroner.

[Ross]

Not a death, yet...let's hope it doesn't come to that.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/lo ... 56788.aspx

Cyclist critical after Northbourne Ave crash
NINO BUCCI
25 Jan, 2011 09:48 AM
A cyclist has been taken to hospital in a serious condition after an accident on Northbourne Avenue.

It is believed the man was riding towards Civic near the intersection with Swindon Street when he was involved in a collision with a car about 8.20am this morning.


ACT paramedics treated the man at the scene for serious head injuries before he was taken to Canberra Hospital.


The accident caused chaos on Northbourne Avenue, with the busy road closed for about 30 minutes.

[tim on skin]

A CYCLIST has died while riding his bicycle at Paracombe in the Adelaide Hills, with traffic diversions in place.

The man, thought to be in aged in his 50s, collapsed about 11.30am and died at the scene on Lower North East.

Witnesses said "a couple" of passing motorists stopped and attempted to revive the man..

[itsaghostcar]

http://mt-druitt-standard.whereilive.com.au/news/story/cyclist-killed-in-shanes-park-collision/

A CYCLIST was killed in an accident on Stony Creek Rd this morning and police are searching for witnesses.

Police from Mount Druitt Local Area Command attended the accident just before 7am when a Mitsubishi and cyclist collided at Shanes Park.
Police and Ambulance Paramedics attended the scene; however the cyclist ­– believed to be aged in his 20s died at the scene.
The male driver of the Mitsubishi was taken to hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.
Stony Creek Rd is closed in both directions at the intersection of Palmyra Road. There are also road closures near Shanes Creek Rd.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible. A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or events leading up to the incident is being urged to contact Mount Druitt Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

[familyguy]

The rider involved in the recent Melbourne stolen car crash has died also.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/cycli ... 1bolt.html

[CommuRider]

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8234273

A woman riding a bicycle in rural Victoria has died after being hit by a car. The 46-year-old cyclist died at the scene of the crash, after a car ran into her bicycle from behind just after 11am (AEST) in Warrnambool. A 19-year-old man who drove the car was assisting police with inquiries, a spokeswoman for Victoria Police said. Neither the driver nor his female passenger were injured in the crash.

The woman's death brings the state's road toll to 75, compared to 77 at the same time in 2010.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/cycli ... 1d5mo.html

The woman was struck on Hopkins Point Road just after 11am by a car being driven by a 19-year-old Panmure man....Police are preparing a report for the coroner. No charges have been laid.

[zero]

Yeah I read about that one. The road is a low traffic semi or fully rural road with no shoulders.

Half of the cycling fatalities in Australia happen in that exact circumstance, middle of the day, clear visibility, straight rural road.

[Colbert Kayden]

There have been a number of cycling fatalities in the past two years where the person responsible has been found guilty of causing death by careless driving, rather than the more serious offence of causing death by dangerous driving.

Even then, the sentences passed do not satisfy many cyclists. The perception amongst the cycling community is that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or the judiciary do not appear to be treating cyclist deaths like those of other road users.

It's believed that the CPS should be looking to prosecute more drivers for the more serious offence of causing death by dangerous driving, rather than the lesser offence of causing death by careless driving.

[fishwop]

http://mt-druitt-standard.whereilive.com.au/news/story/cyclist-killed-in-shanes-park-collision/

A CYCLIST was killed in an accident on Stony Creek Rd this morning and police are searching for witnesses.

Police from Mount Druitt Local Area Command attended the accident just before 7am when a Mitsubishi and cyclist collided at Shanes Park.
Police and Ambulance Paramedics attended the scene; however the cyclist ­– believed to be aged in his 20s died at the scene.
The male driver of the Mitsubishi was taken to hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.
Stony Creek Rd is closed in both directions at the intersection of Palmyra Road. There are also road closures near Shanes Creek Rd.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible. A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or events leading up to the incident is being urged to contact Mount Druitt Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

This is an appalling road for cycling, as dangerous as any road I know. No shoulders, quite narrow, fairly heavy traffic, 80km/h speed limit which is frequently exceeded, and blind corners at the South Creek floodway. I would not ride on it for quids.

Cycling infrastructure west of Blacktown is pretty much non-existant.

[CommuRider]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6055792300



Around 10am, the 60-year-old male cyclist and the driver of a Holden Astra collided at Malvern. The cyclist was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition but died a short time later. Police are investigating the crash.

[sogood]

Are there more fatal cycling accidents out of VIC, SA and WA? Being reading through a whole series of them recently.

[ruscook]

http://mt-druitt-standard.whereilive.com.au/news/story/cyclist-killed-in-shanes-park-collision/

A CYCLIST was killed in an accident on Stony Creek Rd this morning and police are searching for witnesses.

Police from Mount Druitt Local Area Command attended the accident just before 7am when a Mitsubishi and cyclist collided at Shanes Park.
Police and Ambulance Paramedics attended the scene; however the cyclist ­– believed to be aged in his 20s died at the scene.
The male driver of the Mitsubishi was taken to hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.
Stony Creek Rd is closed in both directions at the intersection of Palmyra Road. There are also road closures near Shanes Creek Rd.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible. A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or events leading up to the incident is being urged to contact Mount Druitt Police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

This is an appalling road for cycling, as dangerous as any road I know. No shoulders, quite narrow, fairly heavy traffic, 80km/h speed limit which is frequently exceeded, and blind corners at the South Creek floodway. I would not ride on it for quids.

Cycling infrastructure west of Blacktown is pretty much non-existant.

I used to about 4yrs ago, before I got sick of having the crap scared out of my by cars driving too fast/too close. Was very sad to hear about this accident when it happend...

[CommuRider]

Dunno but here's a Victorian fatality today - poor Samaritan

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/824 ... hway-smash

A cyclist who stopped by the side of the road to change a tyre has been hit and killed by a car. Police have been told the woman, aged in her 60s, was with three other cyclists when the group stopped to fix a punctured tyre on New Dookie Road at Cosgrove just after 11am (AEST) on Saturday. The group had been riding towards Shepparton in the state's north. The female car driver, aged in her 40s, was taken to hospital to be treated for shock. Major Collision Investigators are on the way to the scene to investigate the cause of the crash.

[CommuRider]

Lots of deaths this week

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/20 ... r-treated/

AN 18-YEAR-OLD man was killed yesterday after the bicycle he was riding collided with a four-wheel-drive in Glenvale. The man was riding south along Hampton St when he collided with the four-wheel-drive travelling west along Glenvale Rd about 4.25pm. Queensland Fire and Rescue Service station officer Darrin Kerr said firefighters came across the scene on the way back to Anzac Avenue station from another job.

“On arrival, he was in the gutter surrounded by members of the public,” Mr Kerr said.

“One of the firefighters commenced CPR on him and continued until QAS (Queensland Ambulance Service) arrived.”

QAS regional operations supervisor Russell Cooke said the man had no noticeable heartbeat when paramedics arrived. They were able to revive him before he was rushed to Toowoomba Hospital. The man was revived a number of times before he died.

“He sustained a significant head injury,” Mr Cooke said.

“It is likely he also had other major underlying injuries.”

The 33-year-old male driver of the 4WD was taken to Toowoomba Hospital to be treated for shock.

[moreegolfer]

I read that in the local rag and immediately though of how his family will attempt to cope. It is a good reminder to ride safely, if not for ourselves but for our loved ones and the responsibilities left to someone else if you are gone.