KEY POINTS:
Still nursing injuries suffered when a car sent her flying off her bike nine weeks ago, triathlete Anna Hamilton has a simple plea to drivers: It's time for a change in New Zealand's driving habits.
The 21-year-old, one of New Zealand's brightest hopes in the tough world of triathlon, was left with severe neck, spine, knee, shoulder and other injuries when she was hit from behind on a training ride on State Highway 17 near Dairy Flat, north of Auckland, on August 3. She had been about to head to the world triathlon championships in Hamburg, Germany.
Hamilton still has an upper-body brace but is now back home in Albany and taking the first tentative steps on the road to what she hopes will be a full recovery.
Understandably, she has reservations about getting back on her bike - and that will be a new one with her $6500 "old faithful" now a mangled wreck - and resuming her battle with Auckland traffic.
Asked what changes she would like to see to make our roads safer, Hamilton said: "I would love to see more rider-friendly roads or cycling lanes.
"It would be great to have a few of these in each town or city which would give a feeling of greater safety, particularly for cyclists who train over long distances."
Her coach Chris Pilone, who was hit a little over a year ago while on a training ride in Boulder, Colorado, echoes Hamilton's sentiments.
"The cycle lane which runs alongside the Northwestern Motorway is an example of what can be done," said Pilone. "It is well used and gives a feeling of safety."
Hamilton also has real concerns about some driving habits on busy Auckland roads.
"The other day mum was driving me to hospital for another check-up. I looked one lane over on the motorway and there was a girl of my age driving at top speed, tailgating and texting on her cellphone through the steering wheel. Amazing."
Pilone said he had ridden thousands of kilometres and is left shaking his head at some drivers' antics.
"Drivers here are less patient and more aggressive than those in most other countries. The quality of roads, too, is often much better than in New Zealand.
"Overall, our standard of driving is poor. Too often, I feel, people are taught how to pass the test, not how to drive. I suspect there are many unlicensed drivers on our roads."
The male driver of the car involved in Hamilton's accident has been charged with careless driving causing injury and will appear in court on October 18.
