Cyclists are entitled to ride on the roads, but the question from the Wangaratta community this week is whether they always should.
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A 50-year-old cyclist died on the Snow Road at Milawa on Saturday when he was hit by a four-wheel-drive.
Sergeant Michael Connors said a police investigation would look at a lack of safety precautions taken by the Rosebud rider.
He confirmed the man was not wearing fluorescent clothing when riding his two-wheel recumbent bicycle.
The bike meant the rider laid close to the road.
The driver, a 51-year-old Linton man, was arrested and interviewed, but released without charge while the investigation continued.
“We've been inundated with witnesses,” Sergeant Connors said.
“You're quite entitled to use the road, but you've really got to look at all of the circumstances and take your safety into your own hands.”
RoadSafe North East member Michelle Armstrong said both motorists and cyclists can use the roads and should respect one another.
“We are shocked and saddened by this terrible loss of life and extend our deepest condolences to the family of this bike rider, and visitor to our region,” she said.
“There is a human side to every collision statistic and we need to remember that other road users are not strangers.”
In the wake of the shocking fatality, Wangaratta doctor Julian Fidge called on cyclist to be fined for riding on roads rather than bike paths.
“The death of a cyclist on Sunday was one of those who chose to ride on the road, only a few metres from a bike path,” he said.
“It begs the question of why a cyclist would avoid a safe, tranquil ride for the dangerous, turbulent, 100km/h roadside.”
Dr Fidge called on Wangaratta Council to address why some cyclist use the roads rather than the rail trail.
“I have heard the surface of the paths is unsuitable for bikes, and if this is true it should be addressed,” he said.
The doctor amd former councillor previously signalled his intent to run for election in 2016.
“If the bike riders have no good reason for avoiding the bike paths, then local laws need to be passed to allow bike riders to be fined for using the road instead of the bike path,” Dr Fidge said.
“It is not an option for council to ignore the recent deaths of cyclists in the Wangaratta region.”
Wanaratta Council was contacted for comment.
