Jason Lowndes: Cadel Evans makes road safety plea after pro cyclist’s death

AUSTRALIA’S only Tour de France champion, Cadel Evans, has implored drivers to be more conscious of road safety following the death of pro cyclist Jason Lowndes.

AUSTRALIA’S only Tour de France champion, Cadel Evans, has implored Victorian drivers to be more conscious of road safety following the death of pro cyclist Jason Lowndes.

Evans was “lost for words” upon hearing of Lowndes’ death in hospital after being hit by a car near Bendigo last month.

PRO CYCLIST DIES AFTER BEING HIT BY A CAR NEAR BENDIGO

“Victorian roads are very safe, Victorian drivers could be a lot safer,” Evans told the Herald Sun.

“Compared to many other countries, Australian driving conditions are not difficult, and considering we have a relatively high degree of safety measures in place — speed cameras, helmet laws and heavy fines for mobile phone usage — our roads should be among the safest in the world.”

Cadel Evans is imploring Victorian drivers to be more conscious of road safety. Picture: Alison Wynd

Evans’ call comes after the death of Jason Lowndes, pictured riding in Europe. Picture: Tim de Waele/Corbis via Getty Images

As an athlete, Evans, 40, trained on Victorian roads, and said he had “many near misses” with motorists.

“So often it is one of two reasons: either intentional harassment on our roads, or driver distraction,” he said.

“The harassment almost ­always comes from younger male drivers — driver distraction is anything from in-car navigation systems, smartphones, or even just driver/passenger conversations.”

The former champion said motorists and cyclists needed to be better educated when it came to safely and harmoniously sharing the road.

Evans equally encouraged cyclists to take extra safety precautions when out riding.

“I have started using a tail-light with video recording — it’s from a young Australian start-up, Cycliq,” Evans said.

“They have developed a lighting system for bikes that has constant video recording.

“I have it as a kind of ­insurance when I ride.

“Of course, I never want to use the footage as police evidence — I sometimes use the footage to play back to my seven-year-old son, so he can see himself riding. Hopefully, (it) will stay like that.”

Evans’ sentiments echo those of former Tour de France green jersey champion Baden Cooke, who said he avoided riding on main roads and always used lights.

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Originally published as Jason Lowndes: Cadel Evans makes road safety plea after pro cyclist’s death