Hell Ride, Melbourne
The Hell Ride , also known as the Hell Dog, is an informal group bicycle training ride that follows the coastline of Port Phillip Bay through the south–eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It meets at 7am on Saturdays at the Black Rock clock tower, Black Rock and heads south towards Mount Eliza along Beach Road.[1]
The record for the fastest Hell Ride is currently held by Thomas Lombardi (DUDA) and Jimmy Whelan (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), according to Strava, with a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 43 seconds, set on December 23, 2023.
The ride has been widely criticised,[2][3] particularly after the death of pedestrian James Gould in August, 2006.[4][5]
A continuing police presence is now[when?] monitoring the weekly ride and has improved the behavior of cyclists and motorists alike.[citation needed]
Following the Victorian State Coroner's investigation into the death of Gould, after a cyclist from the Hellride bunch failed to stop at a pedestrian crossing when the traffic light was red and collided with him,[4] a review of the literature on cyclists who ride in large groups or bunches on public roads was commissioned. The research was released by Monash University Accident Research Centre in January 2009.[6]
The 2006 fatality, along with other incidents involving cyclists, has led to the introduction of new "culpable cycling" laws by the Victorian State Government.[7] The Road Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 introduces new penalties for cyclists who cause death or injury in a collision, for failing to stop and render assistance and for "dangerous and careless riding".[8]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Harari, Fiona. "Hell on wheels". The Australian. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
- ^ The Age - It's the Hell Ride - for more than the riders
- ^ "TAC Safety - Daily road toll update". Archived from the original on 6 August 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2007.
- ^ a b The Age - Fast, furious, fatal: official eye falls on Hell Ride
- ^ The Age - Lost Riders
- ^ Johnson, Marilyn; Oxley, Jennie; Cameron, Max. "Cyclist bunch riding: A review of the literature (Monash University Accident Research Centre - Report #285)". Archived from the original on 12 June 2011.
- ^ "Cyclists face jail for road breaches". Melbourne: The Age. 6 March 2008. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
- ^ "Better legislation - Bicycle Victoria". Bicycle Victoria. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
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