A cyclist was critically injured and three others hurt when a car ploughed into a pack of 20 riders in Auckland yesterday (Saturday, 26 September).

Cyclists who were with the injured men described the scene as "absolute carnage."

"All you could hear was the sound of carbon and bodies falling everywhere ... they were crashing all over the place," said Max Horley, who was riding behind the injured men.

Cyclist Maryanne Bawden described: "Bits flying, the noise, and then my friends lying on the ground."

- New Zealand Herald

Police are investigating reports that the driver ran a compulsory stop sign and are likely to press charges.

For those who don't know Auckland, Tamaki Drive is a road that runs along the coast. With views across the harbour to the North Shore suburbs, Rangitoto, Motutapu and Motuihe Islands, it's Auckland's most scenic city road. Tourists and city dwellers alike congregate to its beaches, parks, cafes and restaurants and it's the highlight of Auckland's cycle route.


View Larger Map

Since this group of recreational cyclists were run down, Cycling Advocates have been pushing to have the speed limit along Tamaki Drive lowered from 50 km/h (effectively 60km/h) to 40km/h (effectively 50km/h), a suggestion that's outraged Auckland motorists. Another suggestion is a dedicated cycleway running the length of Tamaki Drive. Motorists have flatly refused both ideas saying a cycleway will take away their parking options and that cyclists shouldn't be holding up motorists by riding two or three abreast. They even go as far as implying the injured cyclists were at fault because of their riding habits. Reading the comments on the Herald's website, this motorist's stunning act of negligence has seemingly become an excuse for Aucklanders to attack all cyclists.

The stupidity of most people is breathtaking. Only here would we consign access to a pristine strip of coastline to an environment where no life is possible. Simply put, if you're not in a car or truck, roads are death. Mike Giant puts it best.