Two recent fatalities have yet again highlighted the need for better on-road riding environments.
Queensland bike advocate Cameron Frewer and a West Australian man in his 60s both died after being involved in crashes with motor vehicles.
Mr Frewer was a passionate believer and advocate for minimum passing distance laws and regularly spoke of the importance of educating drivers and enforcing safe passing.
He was hit by a ute while riding on Caloundra Rd, Caloundra on Monday 5 November and died at the scene. The driver of the ute has been assisting Queensland Police but no charges have been laid yet.
The West Australian bike rider was on a group ride involved in a crash at the intersection of the South Western Highway and Russell Road near Burekup, about 20 kilometres east of Bunbury.
A green 2003 Toyota Camry sedan travelling southbound on the highway hit the man who was on a group ride. The group had been riding on Russell Road.
While full details about both incidents are not yet available, Bicycle Network believes the crashes once again show how desperately we need safer places to ride and supportive legislation for bike riders.
The majority of bike riders crashes happen at intersections and fatal crashes usually occur on roads with higher speed limits – since 1998, more than 25 per cent of bike rider fatalities have occurred on roads with speed limits above 100km/h.
Anyone who may have information about either crash should contact Crime Stoppers Queensland or Crime Stoppers WA.
Bicycle Network’s thoughts are with the families and friends of the two bike riders.