NEWS

The Waikato coroner is to investigate whether there are any common trends in the deaths of eight cyclists, in a bid to prevent further tragedies.

Gordon Matenga has decided against holding a single hearing and will instead travel to inquests in four separate regions, which he says will allow family members and witnesses to attend and lead to greater input from the cycling community.

The first hearing, for two people, will be held in Palmerston North on 21July. Others hearings will take place in Hamilton, Auckland and Wellington.

Mr Matenga says the deaths are an absolute tragedy and everything possible must be done to uncover any lessons or measures that can help avoid them in the future.

Auckland's Cycle Action group spokesperson Barbara Cuthbert, says it is a valuable opportunity for local people to pass on their knowledge.

The Coroner says there have been 34 bicycle fatalities involving vehicles since 2007, with 10 of those cases still open.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/76039/coroner-to-investigate-cycl...

audio at 5:30: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/middayreport/audio/2489792/...

Brent Impey speaks with Patrick Morgan, Cycle Advocates Network spokesperson, about the safety of cycling in New Zealand after eight recent deaths on the road.

http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Coroner-looking-at-eight-different-cycling-de...

We covered speed limits, funding, cycle training, infrastructure, shared foot/cycle paths, driver and cyclist behaviour, 1.5 million people biking, compulsory training or licensing.

Basic skills: lane positioning, eye contact, signalling.
More riders = more road space for essential freight journeys.
Sydney, NY, London investing in cycling.

Cycling advocates have welcomed a Coroner's inquest into the deaths of eight cyclists, saying it is an opportunity for a "major re-think on road safety".

Waikato coroner Gordon Matenga will travel to four regions to hear evidence relating to the deaths, starting in Palmerston North on July 21.

Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) spokesman Patrick Morgan today said cycling was a "wonder sport and way to get from A to B" but it needed to be safer.

"The Coroner's inquest is an opportunity for a major re-think on road safety," he said.

The inquest will consider ways to reduce cycling deaths and whether any law changes were needed.

"CAN and BikeNZ are very concerned with the recent deaths. As more cyclists take to the roads it is vital that roading infrastructure, road user attitudes and cycling skills are all improved," Bike NZ chair Richard Leggat said.

"Our objective is to make the roads safer for cyclists so that more people will cycle more often."

Mr Matenga said travelling to different regions meant the cyclists' family members and witnesses could attend the inquest and allow for greater input from the cycling community.

"These deaths are an absolute tragedy and we must do everything we can to uncover any lessons or measures that can help avoid them in the future."

The inquiry was announced by Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean late last year.

The deaths referred to are:

* Patricia Fraser and Rex Dalzell of Palmerston North (to be heard in July);

* Kay Wolfe, Mark Ferguson and Wilhelm Muller from Waikato (to be heard in August);

* Antony Chapman and Mary-Jane Bishop of Auckland (awaiting completion of prosecution);

* Benjamin Lawless of Wellington (awaiting completion of prosecution).

Findings would be reserved until all evidence had been heard at each venue and interested parties could make submissions or give evidence on the issues of cycling safety, Mr Matenga said.

Waikato mother-of-three Mrs Wolfe, 45, Mr Ferguson, 46, and Mr Muller, 71, died in November after a car ploughed into their group, out for their usual Sunday morning ride.

Kristy King, 24, had been driving to work about 9am on November 14 when she lost control of the car on a bend, which crossed the centre line and slid sideways for about 36 metres before it hit the cyclists.

She was in February sentenced to 300 hours' community service, disqualified for driving for 12 months, and ordered to pay $30,000 to victims' families -- $10,000 each -- after earlier pleading guilty to three charges of careless driving causing death.

Ms Fraser, 34, died after being hit by a car travelling in the same direction near Palmerston North, on November 13. She and a friend were training for the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

British nurse Ms Bishop, 27, died in Auckland in November after swerving to avoid a car door and falling under a truck.

In the last 12 months, 11 cyclists have been killed on the roads, according to figures from the New Zealand Transport Agency.

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/161862/inquest-cycling-deaths-welcomed

25/05/2011 7:16:00

By Anna Cross and Natasha Burling

Cycling advocates say a coroner's inquest into a number of cycling deaths is an opportunity for a major re-think on road safety.

Waikato Coroner Gordon Matenga is to examine the deaths of three Waikato cyclists, two from Manawatu, two in Auckland, and one in Wellington.

BikeNZ chairman Richard Leggat will share his expertise at the inquest.

He says they want the roads to be safer for all road users, particularly cyclists.

Mr Leggat says it's vital roading infrastructure, road user attitudes and cycling skills are all improved.

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyid=197354