Note: This is a response to Dr John Reids statements reported in the Melbourne media, that the so-called ‘Hell Ride’ should be banned, in the wake of the Coroners inquest into the death of James Gould.
Dear Dr John Reid,
I am a cycling safety advocate and a committee member of the Bicycle Federation of Australia. [...]

ABC Online: Psychologist wants ‘Hell Ride’ banned
A psychology researcher is calling for Melbourne’s so-called ‘Hell Ride’ to be banned in the wake of an inquest into the death of a pedestrian. Hundreds of cyclists take part in the ride along Beach Road from Black Rock to Mount Eliza every weekend.
Last year an elderly man died [...]

The Age: Hell Ride should be banned: road safety expert
The “Hell Ride” cycling race along Melbourne’s Beach Road should be banned to prevent further deaths, a Monash University road safety expert says. John Reid, a researcher of driver behaviour and the cause of accidents, said that recommendations this week by State Coroner Graeme Johnstone in [...]

Herald Sun: Hell Ride cyclists slammed
A Coroner has criticised “high risk” behaviour of Hell Ride cyclists after the death of an elderly man struck on a pedestrian crossing. State Coroner Graeme Johnstone said the weekly Hell Ride, with hundreds of cyclists travelling at speed along Beach Rd, was not a suitable event for suburban streets [...]

The Age: Coroner slams aggressive Hell Riders
The “Hell Ride” cycling race along Melbourne’s Beach Road is a “recipe for disaster” that should be better managed to prevent further tragedies, Victoria’s State Coroner Graeme Johnstone says. Mr Johnstone made his comments while he was handing down his finding on the death of James Gould, a 77-year-old [...]

ABC Online: Melbourne’s ‘hell ride’ a recipe for disaster, says coroner
The Victorian coroner has described the so-called “hell ride” for cyclists in Melbourne as a recipe for disaster. An elderly man died when he was hit by one of the cyclists last year. Hundreds of cyclists take part in the ride along Beach Road from [...]

The Age: Coroner recommends road cycling changes
A coroner has recommended closer monitoring of road cycling safety after a cyclist fatally struck an elderly pedestrian during one of Melbourne’s notorious Hell Rides. The coroner in Melbourne found 77-year-old James Gould’s death could have been avoided if the cycling pack travelling at speed had obeyed the road [...]

Herald Sun: Coroner slams Hell Riders
The State Coroner has damned the “high-risk” group behaviour of cyclists after the death of an elderly pedestrian struck during the notorious ‘Hell Ride’. Graeme Johnstone said the weekly Hell Ride, involving hundreds of cyclists travelling at up to 50 km/h along Beach Rd, was not suitable for suburban streets. [...]

The Age: Coroner condemns Hell Ride
State Coroner Graeme Johnstone has found the death of an elderly man struck down by a cyclist on Melbourne’s notorious Hell Ride was “unnecessary and preventable”. The ride is an informal, weekly 75-kilometre high-speed ride through Melbourne’s bayside suburbs. James Gould, 77 died after he was struck by cyclist William [...]

The Age: Medibank Private recalls promo bicycles
A nationwide recall has been issued for more than 5,000 adult and 1,000 child bicycles given out as part of a health insurance promotion. People should stop using bicycles distributed as part of a recent promotion by the health insurer Medibank Private, South Australian Consumer Affairs Minister Jennifer Rankine [...]