A DRIVER who hit and killed a bike rider has been left distraught by the incident.
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A 51-year-old Linton man struck the 50-year-old cyclist on the Snow Road at Milawa about 4.20pm Saturday.
The Rosebud rider had been on a two-wheel recumbent bicycle and was travelling west on the 100km/h road.
He died at the scene.
Senior Constable Patrick Murray said the driver had been arrested and released without charge on Saturday night.
He has spoken to four witnesses and is working to determine how the Nissan utility hit the victim.
“The bike is one where the rider sits in a reclining position with their feet forward,” Senior Constable Murray said.
“They sit quite low and recline.
“I’d like to speak to any further witnesses who saw a lone recumbent cyclist.”
There were no issues with the utility, road or surroundings, he said.
There is a bitumen rail trail about 10 metres from the road.
The utility and rider had been travelling in the same direction.
Sergeant Michael Connors said it was too early to say if the driver had been distracted.
“It’s hard to tell what caused the accident at this stage,” he said on Saturday.
“We’re on a fairly good road here in a 100km/h zone.
“Just behind us is a perfectly good bicycle path.
“I think at times the rider has got to weigh things up.
“They’re well within their rights to use the roads but their own safety is paramount.
“These are all things to consider.”
The rider had been travelling by himself when he was hit.
The driver stopped after the crash and called Triple-0.
The incident came after a September police warning about bike safety following a sharp rise in the number of cyclists being hit.
Eight cyclists had been seriously injured on North East roads.
Senior Sergeant Darren Wittingslow had warned bike riders to wear high visibility clothes and for drivers to avoid distractions.