A Critical Look at a Cycling Crash

(Updated: 21 February, 2025)

A recent cycling incident in Auckland has once again highlighted the dangers of cycling on New Zealand roads.

A cyclist, riding with several others, and in the right, was thrown over his handlebars after a car pulled out without indicating. Fortunately, he avoided serious injury, but the outcome could have been far worse. This event is a stark reminder of the hazards cyclists face daily, particularly in a country with narrow roads, unpredictable weather, and limited cycling infrastructure.

As a four-time UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Champion, a seasoned competitive cyclist since the 1970s, and a former National Coordinator of Sports and Recreational Safety for the ACC, I have spent decades understanding the risks associated with cycling - and staying alive. While there are many health benefits to cycling, we must also acknowledge the significant dangers and the burden cycling-related injuries place on our already overstretched healthcare system.

The video that follows is my analysis for educational purposes, and not to apportion blame.

(Can you spot the "Freudean Slip" in my video commentary?

If you can, place your answer in the comments below)

The Reality of Cycling in New Zealand

New Zealand is not, and likely never will be, the "Amsterdam of the South." Our terrain, weather, and road design make cycling inherently more dangerous than in many European cycling havens. Every year, cycling accidents contribute to a significant number of hospital admissions, many involving serious injuries such as head trauma, spinal injuries, and broken bones. Given that patients are already waiting over a year to see a neurologist, and at least one of our smaller regional hospitals have physiotherapy waitlists exceeding 500 people, we cannot afford to be cavalier about cycling safety.

Competitive Cycling: High Risk, High Stakes

As the Auckland crash demonstrates, competitive cycling, including during training, is particularly hazardous. When the speeds are higher, the stakes are greater, and split-second decisions can mean the difference between staying upright and suffering a life-altering injury. Cycling at this level is not for the unskilled or the faint-hearted. It requires constant vigilance, defensive riding, and honed reflexes.

Cyclists must continually develop their skills, especially when riding in groups, braking in emergencies, and executing evasive maneuvers. A seasoned cyclist will be scanning the environment at all times—anticipating potential hazards before they become a threat. As we can see in the video, when unskllied riders face an emergency they risk going into panic mode, freezing and doing all the wrong things, causing things to become far worse than they could have been. More than anything, a cyclist must never assume other road users will do the right thing.

The Indignant Cyclist: Right But Dead

While the cyclist in this incident was legally in the right, that provides little comfort when faced with severe injury or worse. He narrowly escaped serious injuries, including paralysis, a brain injury, and even death. There is no point in being an indignant cyclist who is technically correct but ends up in a hospital bed or a coffin. Defensive cycling means assuming that everything around you, including pedestrians, animals, potholes are hazards, and every driver is unpredictable and potentially careless. Ride with the mindset that your safety is your responsibility first and foremost, regardless of who has the right of way.

What Needs to Change?

While I love to ride a bike, I am realistic about the hazards of doing so and the need to have a survivor" mentality every time I venture out on a bike. Despite all the care in the world, I have suffered several terrible accidents that have put me in hospital.

https://www.garymoller.com/post/2019/03/29/im-not-at-it-anymore (warning for the faint-heated: this article has blood and gore)

New Zealand needs to stop romanticising about cycling and have a serious discussion about cycling safety. While better infrastructure, such as separated cycle lanes, is an ideal solution, it's not something we can rely on in the short term, and we can't do anything about our weather. In the meantime, cyclists must take charge of their own safety. This includes:

• Developing advanced handling skills and practicing emergency braking and evasive techniques.

• Riding in groups only with experienced riders with commonly shared understanding of how they communicate, and rules about how they follow each other, shared evasive manoevres and so on.

• Riding off-road and avoiding busy arterial roads and streets.

• Using high-visibility clothing and lights, even in daytime conditions.

• Riding with a forever defensive mindset, assuming that all motorists will make mistakes.

• Advocating for better education for both drivers and cyclists on sharing the road safely.

The Bigger Picture

While cycling has undeniable health and environmental benefits, we cannot ignore the risks.

Let us be real: cycling in New Zealand will not save the planet, and the injuries suffered may be negating any health benefits.

Encouraging more people to cycle without addressing safety concerns is irresponsible. We must strike a balance between promoting cycling and ensuring those who take to the roads are adequately prepared for the reality of riding in New Zealand.

https://www.garymoller.com/post/if-i-had-it-my-way-i-d-scrap-many-of-wellington-s-cycleways

The Auckland crash is just one of many that occur every year. While this cyclist was very, very lucky, others have not been, and suffered life-changing injuries.

If we want to make cycling a viable, safe transport option, we need a shift in both attitude and policy. Until then, cyclists must ride smart, stay alert, and always prioritise survival over being right.