Cyclist hit by car at site of earlier accident

An Australian cyclist was knocked down by a car in Mount Maunganui yesterday just metres from where an elderly man riding a scooter was killed last year.

The 47-year-old cyclist was hit at the Maunganui Rd entrance to New World about 9.40am.

The incident occurred metres from where Mount Maunganui man Alan Kappley, 83, died in July. Mr Kappley was riding a scooter along Maunganui Rd when it crashed into the back of a police car involved in a routine traffic stop at the Tweed St intersection.

Yesterday, the cyclist was put on a stretcher by St John Ambulance paramedics and taken to Tauranga Hospital with minor injuries. He was wearing a high visibility jacket and helmet.

Head of Western Bay of Plenty's road policing unit Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said cyclists and drivers had equal rights to the road but it was important drivers took extra care when moving through cycle lanes or at intersections.

"New Zealand drivers could be more considerate in sharing the road with cyclists," Mr Campion said. "There are some things that cyclists can do to help and that is to wear high visibility vest or brightly-coloured clothing to make them more obvious."

No charges have been laid against the driver.