Carnage for cyclists: Education campaign launched after rider hit by caravan

Mr Kelly fell into the road and was tumbled.

Some of the riders behind him had to take evasive action to prevent hitting him and other vehicles.

Mr Kelly was able to get up and leave the road, but he’s been left with a fracture to the top of the radius in his right arm and grazes to both legs and arms.

“I am very fortunate that it is the worst of my injuries,” Mr Kelly said.

“It could have been a lot worse; I don’t remember hitting my head, I didn’t lose consciousness and surprisingly there is not actually a lot of skin that has come off.”

Mr Kelly said he’s long thought it would only be a “matter of time” before he was involved in an incident with a fellow road user.

So he and his fellow Deniliquin Cycling Club members are now using the incident to launch an extended safety education campaign.

They plan to work with NSW Police Force on the campaign, and intend to approach Edward River Council to discuss appropriate actions to improve awareness, visibility and road safety.

“I should say the vast majority of people show cyclists a lot of respect on the roads, but for a small number an extra 30 seconds (to take extra care) seems to be too much time for them,” Mr Kelly said.

“In this particular instance the options were for this driver to either hit me, or hit oncoming traffic.

“I was already on the bridge as the lead rider and heard the call ‘car back’ behind me.

“I had moved over as much as I could (given there is no cycling lane or shoulder on the bridge) and when the car went past I thought ‘he’s really close’.

“Then came the caravan, and I lost my balance. It’s very lucky no-one else came down behind me.

“It all happened so quick, but the bruising to my shoulder and back suggests the caravan hit me.

“I have been cycling for eight years and have had a number of near misses. I knew it was only a matter of time really.

“And it’s not just on the bridges. We’ve had issues at the intersections in town where at giveways they (other road users) are just not looking for you as a cyclist.”

Deniliquin Cycling Club secretary Ricky Bond, who was one of the riders following Mr Kelly on Friday and captured the aftermath on his rear bike camera, said more significant “carnage” was only avoided because of the experience of the riders involved.

The driver did not stop, according to Mr Bond, but thanks to bike cam vision supplied to police the driverhas reportedly since been found and issued with infringement notices.

Mr Bond said it’s not the first time a member of the group has been hit on the floodway, or on other local roads.

“This is the second serious accident involving a caravan and a cyclist on that same stretch of road, travelling in the same direction (into Deniliquin), in the last three years,” Mr Bond said.

“The incident serves as a reminder that sharing the road is paramount, particularly as a group of ten Deniliquin High School students and their adult riding partners take part in the Great Victorian Bike Ride, riding country roads from Orbost to Wonthaggi this week.

“The group regularly ride the route of Conargo Road, Wandook Lane and Hay Road at the same time most mornings.

“We ride the same route a lot because other road users become familiar and respectful of the cyclists on the road.

“The last thing any of us wish to see is one of our riders being involved in an accident like this, or for that accident to possibly ruin another road user’s life.

“All this driver had to do on this day was be aware, obey the road rules and wait a few seconds for it to be have been safe to pass.”

Mr Bond said club members have since had discussions with police about the road rules, and highlight there are laws regarding a minimum clearance when passing a cyclist.

This law requires drivers to leave at least one metre when passing a cyclist in speed zones of 60km/h or lower, and 1.5m when passing at speeds over 60km/h.

“It is also legal for cyclists to ride two abreast on any stretch of road, even with double white lines, although in most circumstances we choose not to do so as to not inconvenience other road users,” Mr Bond said.

Mr Bond and Mr Kelly said Deniliquin Cycling Club is seeking advice from Edward River Council, police, other road users and the general community to address driver behaviour and to improve the situation on that particular stretch of road.

Suggestions have been made to widen the bridge, lower the speed limit, erect signage for ‘no overtaking’ on the bridge and better signage indicating to be aware of cyclists.

But Mr Kelly said this campaign must be extended beyond that stretch of road on Davidson St.

“Cycling is a growing sector of tourism, but riders need to feel safe,” Mr Kelly said.

“I must point out that most of my near misses have been with cars with interstate number plates, so increased signage would be a good start.

“We also need to think about our other main roads.

“There is alot of roadwork taking place locally and across the state. Most of these road upgrades mean there are no longer shoulders (in which cyclists can safely ride).

“And the audible rumble strips, while they are a good safety tool for cars, makes it harder for us to move to the side of the road. They can be dangerous and unpleasant to ride on.

“And it’s not just Edward River Council that needs to address these issues.”

In the meantime, Mr Kelly has expressed his thanks to anyone who rendered assistance on Thursday, and the staff at Deniliquin Hospital.

“The staff at the hospital were fantastic.

“I thought I would be in and out, but I was there for hours as they did thorough checks.

“This included CT scans to rule out any serious injuries and clearing me of any spinal injuries.”