Cycle safety measures fast-tracked

A warning sign alerting drivers to cyclists is one of several safety measures being fast-tracked on to Auckland's Tamaki Drive before Christmas.

At a meeting this week of the road's safety working party - formed after student Jennifer Speakman drove into a pack of cyclists in September, seriously injuring four - members decided to install a sign at the Ngapipi Rd/Tamaki Drive intersection.

It is one of several actions to be taken this month.

Councillor Ken Baguley said the sign would be sensitive to the weight of a cyclist or could be activated by pushing a button.

"I understand it will be much like a pedestrian crossing, it will flash for a certain amount of time," he said.

The sign would be trialled and if successful used at other locations, Mr Baguley said.

Other immediate plans included temporary signs with road safety messages about the shared use of Tamaki Drive, a new road user protocol, encouraging cyclists and walkers to report hazards and advocacy of increased policing of red-light runners.

Mr Baguley said longer-term safety suggestions would be considered in February.

The working party was formed after the crash on September 26 re-ignited the debate about user rights on Tamaki Drive.

According to court documents, Speakman told police she approached the intersection of Cliff Rd and Tamaki Drive, looked both ways, but did not see the Pickled Pedallers cycle group.

Speakman this week pleaded guilty to four counts of careless driving causing injury in the Auckland District Court and apologised, through her lawyer Frank Hogan, to the four riders she injured.

Judge Thomas Everitt noted the apology and remanded Speakman at large until February so police could assess the recovery of the most seriously injured cyclist, Auckland engineer Greg Paterson.

Mr Paterson suffered serious brain injuries, two skull fractures and severe grazing to his body.

According to the group's website he is in a brain rehabilitation centre in West Auckland, where he is "making solid progress but has a way to go".

One member posted that his memory was "filling in", his personality returning and his wife, Clare, was hoping he would go home for weekends shortly.

Cyclist David Wood suffered a cracked vertebrae in his neck, two broken ribs, severe concussion, bruising and grazing and soreness to his left ankle and right knee, court documents said.

Wayne Lobb broke his left clavicle, left scapula, right thumb and suffered concussion.

Kevin Marsh's left knee cap was broken in three places and suffered a badly bruised knee.

Reparation for damage caused to the four cycles and costs suffered by the injured riders as a result of the crash would also be sought, but a final sum had not been finalised.

DANGER SIGNS
* Warning sign at Ngapipi Rd/Tamaki Drive, activated by weight or hand.
* Publicity around reporting hazards to council for clean-up.
* Temporary signs with safety messages about shared use of road.
* Advocacy to police to increase enforcement of red-light runners at Patteson Ave/Tamaki Drive.