KEY POINTS:
Two cyclists are dead and three others are in hospital after a spate of accidents in what was supposed to be a week of awareness-raising for safe biking on roads.
Cycling Advocates Network spokesman Stephen McKernon said it was a great tragedy that two people had died in what had been an otherwise successful Bikewise week.
"We can only hope that motorists and cyclists nationwide appreciate the tragedy and are reminded to share the road in safety," he said.
On Friday a 74-year-old Matamata man died in Waikato Hospital from injuries inflicted when his bike was struck from behind by a four-wheel-drive vehicle on State Highway 27.
Police questioned witnesses and said that, despite reports, the incident was not a hit-and-run.
The dead man's name was not available last night.
Another fatal accident happened on Saturday when Hilary Evelyn Haward and her husband, Brinley Haward, were hit by a delivery truck from behind.
The couple were spectators at the Ironman race in Taupo.
Mrs Haward was killed instantly and Mr Haward received a dislocated shoulder and cuts when he was thrown on to the grass verge.
Police are investigating the cause of the accident but an officer said driver fatigue and inattention were likely factors.
Yesterday morning, another two cyclists were injured, one of them seriously, after they were hit by a car in North Canterbury.
The driver did not see them until it was too late, a police spokesman said.
The police serious crash investigation unit was looking into the incident.
Mr McKernon said many motorists forgot roads were for everybody.
"Most motorists understand this and are treating cyclists with respect, as about a third of motorists are also cyclists," he said. "We can only hope that motorists and cyclists nationwide appreciate the tragedy and are reminded to share the road in safety."
He said motorists should adhere to the road code which dictates a gap of at least 1.5 metres "and more on the open road" when overtaking a cyclist.
"It also emphasises that if a cyclist can't be overtaken safely, the motorist must wait behind until it is safe to do so, just as with any other slower vehicle."
