Woman arrested over alleged cyclist hit and run

Robert Clarke, 59, was on an early morning ride when a driver appeared to deliberately swerve towards him, sending him tumbling to the ground.

A woman has been arrested after a cyclist was allegedly knocked down by a car that fled the scene.

Robert Clarke, 59, was riding along Douglas St in Noble Park in Melbourne’s southeast at 6.40am last Thursday, when he was hit from behind by a white sedan.

Dashcam footage captured the moment the white 2008-17 Mitsubishi Lancer accelerated towards the cyclist, slightly mounting the kerb and then hitting him before dragging his bike 100m down the road.

A 40-year-old Dandenong woman has since come forward. She’s been arrested, and is assisting police with their inquiries. No charges have been laid.

On Monday, Mr Clarke recalled the terrifying experience, revealing he had sustained soft tissue damage, an internal injury to the back of his rib cage and was still unable to sit properly.

Dashcam footage shows the white car and the 59-year-old Pakenham cyclist on Thursday April 13. Picture: Victoria Police

The cyclist was hit on Douglas St, Noble Park. Picture: Victoria Police

He said repeatedly heard a car accelerating before the driver overtook him.

“There was no apparent movement … so I kept going,” he said.

“Then, of course, I heard the acceleration and I thought, ‘here’s another smart-arse, they’re going to rev, scare me, then keep going’.

“And the next thing I knew, the world was spinning.

“He hasn’t hurled abuse … hasn’t thrown anything at me, he just hit me.

“You can speculate all sorts of things about road rage, but I didn’t impede on the lane or falter in front of the driver … I’ve been cycling in the area for six or seven years.”

He urged drivers and cyclists to be considerate of each other.

“We share the road, I know there are cyclists who take up more space than they should, and I appeal to them to have more consideration, but for drivers, they’re in a big vehicle – have a bit of care,” he said.

The cyclist fell onto the road, and his bike was dragged out from underneath him. Picture: Victoria Police

The victim sustained bruises and grazes and was later taken to hospital. Picture: Victoria Police

The 59-year-old's bike was dragged for over 100m. Picture: Victoria Police

Investigators said the car was last seen driving northwest through the Douglas St and Heatherton Rd intersection.

While he was taken to hospital following the incident, Mr Clarke did not suffer any major physical injuries, which he said in part was due to him wearing appropriate protective gear.

Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol sergeant Jerome Ithier said the car did not appear to have registration plates.

Police are urging anyone who may have dashcam footage or who may have seen the car in the vicinity of the incident to come forward.