Training bunch knocks over pedestrian

The behaviour of large group training rides in the Melbourne area is in the news again after a large group of cyclists allegedly knocked over a man on a pedestrian crossing last month. According to a report in the Mordialloc Chelsea Leader, Mark Vawdrey, 53, said he was crossing Main St, Mordialloc at a pedestrian crossing at 6.30am when he a group of up to 100 riders ran a red light. Two collided with him and failed to stop afterwards.

"They bowled me over and left me lying in the road covered in blood," said Vawdrey.

It's not the first time group rides in the area have given ride to complaints. In 2002 a Code of Conduct was drawn up after Melbourne's Beach Road Hell Ride (which passes through Mordialloc) caused numerous complaints of riders ignoring road rules including running red lights. At the time, police threatened to stop the ride.

Senior Constable Dave Eadie of the Victoria Police State Bicycle Co-ordination Unit, said the incident involving Mr Vawdrey was "unfortunate." Eadie, a cyclist himself and one of the police representatives responsible for the Hell ride code of conduct added, "This sort of incident is the reason [cyclists] have to get respect back from other road users."