15 Feb 2013

High-visibility clothing for cyclists a must - coroner

6:46 am on 15 February 2013

A Coroner's report into the road death of New Zealand's top roading policeman has recommended it be made compulsory for cyclists to wear high-visibility clothing on the roads.

Stephen Fitzgerald, 57, died after being clipped by a truck at a roundabout at Petone, near Wellington, in June 2008.

The driver, Desmond Wilson, was found guilty of careless driving in 2009.

Coroner Ian Smith is recommending high-visibility clothing be made as compulsory as bike helmets.

He says the clothing may not stop an accident, but it is common sense for the safety of cyclists.

Mr Smith is also reminding motorists to leave a one-metre gap when passing cyclists and for cycle lane rules to be made more clear.

He acknowledges the efforts of Hutt City Council in creating a cycle land at the Petone roundabout following the crash, but says the intersection needs to be reviewed.