Riders' responsibility urged (+poll)

More than 20 Western Bay of Plenty cyclists have been injured in accidents involving cars in the past year, according to Ministry of Transport figures.

Nationally, eight cyclists have died following vehicle collisions in the last 12 months, with hundreds more hurt.

Bruce Trask, a founder of Cycle Action Tauranga, said cyclists had to "take a bit of responsibility", ride where it was safe and in single-file.

"There are parts of Tauranga that perhaps you wouldn't ride, but there are still parts of Tauranga that can be ridden."

Cyclists should also ensure they were seen on the road by wearing high-visibility clothing, Mr Trask said.

"I get quite surprised at some of them that go out with black on. It might look cool, but it won't save your life."

Cyclists should also avoid riding on the road in the morning when sun-strike is a problem for motorists and their visibility is reduced, he said.

In January last year a Sunday cycle ride ended in tragedy for a Mount Manganui couple when David Armstrong, 50, was killed after being hit by a car on the Takitimu Drive bypass. Mr Armstrong died at the scene while his wife Debbie received minor injuries. The driver of the car, Dillon Michael Bishop, 22, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to three-and-a-half years' jail.

On Saturday an Auckland man watched in horror as his wife was knocked off her bike and dragged under a truck as they rode with friends.

Mother-of-two Jane Farrelly, 50, died shortly after the collision.

Her death is the latest in a spate of serious incidents involving cyclists and motorists.

A dairy farmer has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after an alleged road rage attack near Taupo.

Police say he got out of a ute and chased cyclist and Ironman New Zealand race entrant Alistair Slade before pushing him off his bike. Another Ironman entrant - Aucklander Glen Cornwell - needed back surgery after his bike was hit from behind when he was riding in the Waitakere Ranges in January.

About 10 cyclists die each year in crashes with motor vehicles on public roads. However, a Ministry of Transport spokeswoman said cycle deaths not involving motor vehicles were not included in the official road toll.

A 13-year-old Auckland girl died in January after she fell off her bike and hit her head on concrete in Papakura.

She wasn't wearing a helmet.

Auckland was statistically the most dangerous city for cyclists, with 23 serious and 189 minor injuries in the same period.

Nationally, cyclists suffered 171 serious and 623 minor injuries after collisions with cars in the 12 months to October 31.