Hell Ride cyclists allegedly cause crash that leaves three people seriously injured
NOTORIOUS Hell Ride cyclists who caused a crash that seriously injured three people should “hang their head in shame”, a cycling lobby group says.
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NOTORIOUS “Hell Ride” cyclists who caused a crash that seriously injured three people in a bayside Melbourne suburb at the weekend should “hang their head in shame”, the Bicycle Network lobby group says.
At least eight people were knocked from their bikes in Beach Rd, Parkdale, on Saturday morning when Hell Riders blocked two groups of cyclists, clipping one rider’s handlebars.
The rogue group of more than 100 riders race along Beach Rd from Black Rock to Mt Eliza each Saturday — the “winner takes all”.
Pedestrian James Gould, 77, died in 2006 after being hit by a Hell Ride cyclist.
Long-time cyclist Neil Tubb, 60, remains in hospital with six broken ribs and a punctured lung after the crash on Saturday.
South Melbourne’s Anne-Marie Cooke, 31, suffered a fractured skull and a bruised lung, while another cyclist was taken to hospital with leg injuries.
POLICE CRACK DOWN ON HELL RIDE CYCLISTS
The Herald Sun understands the cyclists who caused the crash did not immediately stop to help.
Moorabbin Highway Patrol are investigating.
Bicycle Network’s Chris Carpenter said cyclists had a moral and legal obligation to help anyone injured in a collision.
“The fact that those involved did not stop to render assistance to the people injured is a disgrace,” he said.
“There has to be someone in that bunch who knows who caused this distressing collision, and Bicycle Network calls on them to contact the police so appropriate action can be taken.
“All eyes are on riders in this group to show leadership.”
Mr Tubb, 60, of Longwood, said “hangers on” who tried to keep up with the Hell Ride top cyclists made Beach Rd dangerous for social riders.
“They tend to be a bit of a law unto themselves,” he said.
“On Saturday morning Beach Rd is a social road, it’s not a bloody race.
“Their adrenaline starts rushing and the people at the back are trying to hang on all the time and it gets a little bit untidy.”
Ms Cooke, who was riding with triathlon group Tri Alliance, called for the Hell Ride to be regulated.
“If someone was to step up and decide to control it, tell everyone the rules of what was acceptable and safe it would go a long way to improving safety,” she said.
Hell Ride cyclists have reportedly sped through police block and sworn at officers during the past four months.
Tri Alliance director Ollie Allan said serious or fatal crashes could occur with the Hell Ride reaching a “critical mass”.
“Here’s an incident where clearly the ethics of cycling weren’t taken into account,” he said.
“It seems to be a ride that is like a bat out of hell. The winner takes all, which is unfortunate.”