Another cyclist hit by car

Friday's cycle accident on Tamaki Drive follows another in September when a motorist hit about 20 cyclists (pictured). Photo / Chris Skelton

A cyclist was taken to hospital after being hit by a car on a notorious stretch of Auckland road - just days after officials discussed ways to improve it.

The man, believed to be aged in his late 20s, was cycling to work along Tamaki Drive on Friday morning when he was hit by a car coming through the Ngapipi Rd intersection.

It is understood he was travelling in a cycle lane when he was hit by a young female driver.

Police said the injuries were initially classed as serious but not life-threatening. However, their seriousness was downgraded after the cyclist was taken to hospital.

A motorist who drove past the scene saw a car windscreen smashed in and blood on the bonnet.

Barbara Cuthbert from Cycle Action Auckland was "absolutely appalled" to hear about the latest incident. "It was avoidable, that's what makes me gutted," she said.

Auckland City Council organised a forum to discuss road safety on Tamaki Drive and conflict between cyclists and drivers in September.

That meeting came after four male cyclists where hit by a car about 3km away from the scene of Friday's incident. The men were in a pack of about 20 riders when 20-year-old student Jennifer Speakman allegedly ran a stop sign and hit them.

Officials met last week to discuss suggestions from the forum, including putting signs on Ngapipi Drive to warn motorists that cyclists were coming.

"That intersection is a horrendous crash site for cyclists," said Cuthbert. "I will be asking the council for a report on it. It's a very, very serious black point."

Council transport committee chairman Ken Baguley hoped the warning signs would be up by Christmas. "We are working on some things that we can do immediately," he said, describing Friday's incident as "terribly unfortunate".

After September's incident, Baguley spent time with police watching motorists and cyclists on Tamaki Drive and said the behaviour of both needed to improve.

"Tamaki Drive is a popular road for everyone and I don't think we're ever going to be 100 per cent able to solve the issues.

"There are certainly issues with bunch cyclists ... cyclists also need to respect the road rules and they need to be single file, not two to five abreast."

But Cuthbert blamed motorists. "It's not drivers getting injured, it's cyclists."