Rider leaves three kids

Alistair Humphries died after a motorcycle accident in Auckland. Photo / Supplied

Humphries a father of three has died in hospital - seven painful days after he was struck by a car that was trying to pull a U-turn in gridlocked city traffic.

Alistair Humphries was, says his grieving partner Debbie, a careful motorcyclist - observant, patient, a perfectionist. But he was unlucky to be in the wrong place when a frustrated car driver tried to turn out of rush-hour traffic in Auckland's Halsey St.

Yesterday, Debbie had one piece of advice to women: don't let your man buy a motorbike.

After seven days by his bedside at Auckland Hospital, she said she often worried about Humphries' safety when he was on his bike. "Unfortunately you are a moving target on a motorbike. He knew I didn't like him having a bike," she said.

"I wish he'd taken up surfing. He enjoyed his bike, but I'm sure he would have enjoyed being here more."

Humphries bought his Ducati sports bike two years ago and used it to commute between their home in St Heliers and Auckland city.

He was weaving through heavy traffic on Halsey St when he was struck by a car that turned into his path, shortly before 6pm on February 3, police said.

The impact of the crash severed an artery in Humphries' neck, which caused brain damage.

Humphries, who worked as a senior project manager at Vodafone, also leaves behind their children: Natasha, 10, Aidan, 8, and Steffi, 6.

The morning of the accident, he accompanied the children to school to meet their teachers and tour the classrooms, as it was the first day for the year.

This is the third tragedy to hit the family. Debbie's brother died climbing in the Himalayas and her uncle died in a small plane crash, also leaving behind three primary-aged children.