Woman cyclist killed in Napier crash remembered as being full of aroha and laughter

Tangiwai Cottter was the mother of four boys and three girls, as well as the grandmother to 47 mokopuna (grandchildren) and 30 great mokopuna. Photo / Facebook

An 80-year-old woman who died after being struck by a vehicle on Marine Parade has been remembered as being full of "joy, aroha and laughter".

Keen cyclist Tangiwai Lyola Cotter's family post on Simplicity Bereavement Services' Facebook page on Thursday, said Mrs Cotter's whanau were "the centre of her world".

Mrs Cotter died at the scene of the 11am accident in the northbound lane of Marine Parade, just north of the Ellison St intersection at the southern seafront entrance to the city.

She was the third eldest of eight children to Wharewhiti and Hana Lyola Cotter and was the mother of four boys and three girls, as well as the grandmother to 47 mokopuna (grandchildren) and 30 great mokopuna.

A service for her will be held at the Bridge Pa church at 10am on Monday and until then she will lie in state at 10 Lowry Terrace in Napier.

A tribute for Tangiwai Lyola Cotter near where the accident occurred. Photo / Warren Buckland

The accident was the 13th fatal crash on Hawke's Bay roads this year and the third in just over a fortnight.

It was also the second fatal crash involving a cyclist in the region this year. Jason Mou, 13, died after being hit by a van in Hastings back in January.

Cycle Aware Hawke's Bay spokesman Gavin Scoble said although the region has a reputation for safe cycling, work needs to continue to make it safer.

"Hawke's Bay has a great reputation for safe cycling on the trail and iWay networks, but both local councils need to be moving faster to make city routes safer for everyday cyclists."

He noted that the intersection has been an issue for cyclists for some time.

"The Ellison St/Marine Parade/State Highway 51 intersection has been identified in the past as needing to be significantly improved for cyclists," Scoble said.

The road was closed for more than five hours on Tuesday. Photo / File

Acting road policing manager for Eastern District Inspector Dean Clifford said when it comes to using the roads everyone needs to be vigilant.

"Even in the busiest intersections they can be made safer with people - either motorists, cyclists or pedestrians - keeping an eye out for each other," Clifford said.