Cyclists blamed for crash despite driver's 'dangerous' act
A pack of cyclists have been blamed for a crash that saw several riders hitting the bitumen when a driver slowed suddenly after overtaking the group.
In a video uploaded to Facebook page Cycliq, a ute believed to be driving on a road in Victoria overtakes the pack before braking in front of them and turning right, leading to several riders falling to the ground as they attempt to stop.
“When a cyclist is an idiot, a car gets delayed. When a driver is an idiot, someone gets hurt,” a caption on the video said.
“This idiot expressed his inner idiot by overtaking and brake checking these cyclists, and people end up on the ground.”
Many commented saying the driver didn’t brake check and in fact stopped to turn right.
Others also suggested it may have been the cyclist’s fault and the crash could have been prevented.
“They should’ve been paying more attention. There was a registered and fee-paying road user, giving clear signals of movements and intentions,” one said.
“Single file all the way to the left and they could’ve sailed right past.”
Another agreed, saying they would have been able to continue riding by if they were cycling close to the edge of the road.
“He didn’t brake check at all, just rubbish group riding skill in my opinion,” one commented.
“You cyclists bring this type of driving on yourselves,” said another.
A man complained all he could see was a group of cyclists taking up the road, while others savaged the riders over their cycling skills.
However others defended the cyclists, saying the driver of the ute was “dangerous” and “impatient” .
“Ute 4wd driver could have waited five seconds and turned behind the riders instead of overtaking, braking and turning,” one said.
“I’ve seen this a few times when riding by myself. Driver passes me right before the place they plan on turning at. Just impatient,” another claimed.
In Victoria it is an offence if a driver fails to leave enough room when overtaking, or cuts in too soon.
Drivers who fail to comply can be fined $330 and two demerit points.
Victoria Police have been contacted for comment.
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