Fifteen years ago, Anthony was hit by a car and left at the scene. Six months off work, a pin in his shoulder, and a financial impact that changed his family’s life. Most people would have hung up the bike for good. Anthony didn’t, but he did change the way he rides, the routes he chooses, and the gear he never leaves home without.
UpRide turns daily rides into data that drives change.
Every UpRider has a story. Here is Anthony’s.
What happened prior to this incident and why do you record your ride?
Fifteen years ago I was hit by a car while out riding, a hit and run that left me off work for six months, with a pin in my shoulder that I will carry for the rest of my life. It truly changed my life and our lives financially. I know better than most about the very real dangers of being out on the road, and that experience has shaped the way I approach every single ride since.
When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?
After my previous accident, I became extremely selective about the routes I choose. I believe you have to minimise your exposure wherever possible, it is simply not worth taking unnecessary risks. It is one of the reasons my wife and I chose to live in Canberra, which has excellent cycling infrastructure compared to many other cities in Australia. I take road safety seriously every time I head out on the bike, and I would encourage every other cyclist to do the same.
What do you think are the most important things that can be done to improve safety for cyclists on the road?
Awareness needs to be raised, and the law needs to do more to protect cyclists. In Japan, if a car hits a cyclist it is automatically the driver’s fault, no matter what, and I think that kind of legislation would go a long way here. A lot of the dangerous behaviour we see on the road is not malicious, it is simply carelessness. But carelessness has consequences, and drivers need to be held accountable for them.
Did you report your incident? What was the reporting process?
I reported the incident through the AFP reporting system for dangerous driving. The process was straightforward and I am waiting to hear about the outcome of the report.
What is your advice for other cyclists?
Get cameras, choose your routes wisely, and look out for each other out on the road.
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