Cyclist clipped by car says drivers must be vigilant

Sara Tsiringakis was knocked off her bike on the way to work, but says she knows it could have been a lot worse.

The media consultant was riding along Totara St towards Blake Park when a car turned left out of Matai St and sent her flying about 7.30am yesterday.

"I saw her coming and she wasn't really slowing down so I started slowing down a little bit. I thought she was going to stop but then she clipped me."

Ms Tsiringakis landed on her hip leaving her with a bruised side, a grazed and swollen elbow and a cracked helmet.

The driver stopped to help her. "The lady who hit me was quite apologetic and I think she was quite shaken," she said.

An ambulance officer checked her over and took her to see a doctor.

Ms Tsiringakis and her partner cycle to work regularly and have had their share of close calls.

The accidents showed just how vigilant drivers needed to be, she said.