Adelaide school zone death prompts call on cyclist safety investigation from Unley councillor Georgie Hart

A man who lost a family member cycling says more needs to be done to improve safety in school zones, amid calls for a full investigation into the state’s latest road death.

Scene of a fatal accident where a cyclist has died on Wattle Street in Fullarton on the corner of Kenilworth Road. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

The brother of a man who tragically died while cycling on an Adelaide road has slammed council inaction on “dangerous” school drop off points.

It comes after another man died after he was struck by a car metres from Sunrise Christian School’s crossing on Wattle St, Fullarton, during busy peak drop-off hours on Wednesday morning.

An Unley council resident – who lives near the Glen Osmond Primary School less than 2km from the incident – said he had alerted the local council of the danger and the “likelihood of a serious accident” near his home during school drop off times.

Scene of a fatal accident where a cyclist has died on Wattle Street in Fullarton on the corner of Kenilworth Road. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Brenton Edwards

The crash happened near the Sunrise Christian School on Wattle St around school drop-off time and peak hour. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

He said his street was used for parking by commuters who catch the bus into the city as well as parking for school drop-offs and pick-ups and the road was used to carry traffic to larger main roads.

“This all usually comes together to coincide with school drop-off time,” he said.

“(Drivers) exceed the speed limit so it all comes together as a perfect storm.

“Some day I suspect you will be writing about a serious accident at this location.”

A 53-year-old cyclist has been killed after being struck by a car outside a Fullarton primary school. Bystanders desperately tried to free the rider, who was dragged along the road beneath the vehicle | @joshuacwebsterpic.twitter.com/7NJAF5ZNOi

— 10 News First Adelaide (@10NewsFirstAdl) December 13, 2023

The resident said a solution of timed parking would free up school drop-offs and pick-ups locations but the council had been “dismissive” of his ideas and concerns.

“Now a cyclist has been killed on Wattle Street and I have no doubt that his/her death could have been avoided if Unley council had been more proactive in addressing the issues that those residents have raised,” he said.

“Every time I see that a cyclist has died because of a road accident it is personal for me … my brother was a cyclist who was killed by an alcohol-affected young driver.”

City of Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson said he was “heartbroken” by the “horrific incident” and cyclist safety was a top priority of his council.

“Wattle St is one of our designated cycle routes, we have on our KPIs to have our council streets be all 40 km across the whole city,” he said.

“Wattle St at the moment is 50km, most of our city is cycling safe, Wattle St I think can be made safer.”

City of Unley councillor Georgie Hart called for a full investigation into the Fullarton death.

“There needs to and will be a full investigation and I hope there will be recommendations made and priority given to addressing these risks,” she posted online.

“I know we will certainly be pursuing this on council.

“Many children ride to school along Wattle, to Glenunga high especially, and these incidents tend to make parents more concerned for their safety and then more inclined to drive them, ultimately and ironically, exacerbating the situation for other children.”