The coast to coast cycling event in which one rider was killed and another seriously injured last year is back on again from this Saturday.
The South Australian Road Transport Association (SARTA) put out a warning today to all truckies and operators to be on high alert for the 28 Indian Pacific Wheel Race participants who roll out of Fremantle on March 15 en route to the Sydney Opera House.
“This event clearly increases the risks for heavy vehicle drivers and we ask operators to inform their drivers and stress to them that the event is legal and it is happening,” said SARTA Executive Officer Steve Shearer.
“So, they need to be aware and on the lookout for the cyclists
“The industry is in discussion with organisers to get as much useful information as we can.”
On a positive note, Shearer said the riders have been told not to ride at night and lights and hi-viz are required.
“The event is legal and we need to accept that, but we need to reduce the risk.”
The route:
Cyclists should not be allowed to mix with traffic on the road – their speeds are vastly different and they are often arrogant thinking they are invincible wandering all over the road when they have little to no protection and often very hard to see. They put vehicle drivers in a very dangerous situation where they could be legally liable for an accident when the cyclist should never have been on the road in the first place.