Path delay not to blame for cyclist collision

A COLLISION involving a cyclist and a car on Surf Parade Inverloch this week, in the vicinity of a recently completed section of the shared pathway has again highlighted the dangers that exist in the area.

Although police have reported that the incident was likely the result of rider error, the question still remains about when council will complete Stage 3B, from Ozone Street through to Goroke Street.

It was the subject of a question from Bass Coast Ratepayers and Residents Association President Kevin Griffin to last Wednesday's council meeting, on the very day that the accident occurred.

Police report

Here is the report from Police Media on the incident:

Police responded to reports of a collision in Inverloch on Wednesday, July 20.

Investigators have been told a car collided with a man riding a bicycle along Surf Parade around 10am.

The cyclist was travelling in the same direction as the vehicle and turned right in front of the passing car without warning.

The male cyclist, 75, was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition and sustained head injuries due to no helmet.

The female driver of the car stopped at the scene and assisted police with their enquiries.

Investigations are ongoing but police believe the cyclist is at fault.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Path extension delayed

The Bass Coast Ratepayers addressed the delays in completing the shared pathway along Surf Parade during question time at Wednesday's council meeting.

“Three years after approving the Inverloch pathway, from Veronica to Goroke Street, Council has only just now reached the halfway point at Ozone Street. How many more years will it take Bass Coast Council to complete this simple but essential community asset through to Goroke Street?” asked BCRRA President Kevin Griffin.

The Council answered, saying the further works were being held up by the complex nature of the Cape to Cape Resilience Project  being undertaken with the community by DELWP and its Inverloch Regional and Strategic Partnership (RaSP) group.

“The council recognizes that the completion of this path is a high priority for the community and is keen to see it finalized as soon as possible. Stage 3A of the Surf Parade Shared Path was completed in June 2022. Planning for Stage 3B is underway but is reliant upon the completion of the coastal hazard assessment being undertaken by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. This work is anticipated to be completed by August 2022 which will help inform the design stage of 3B,” said shire CEO Ali Wastie on behalf of the council.

A spokesperson for the Inverloch business community said that while he understood it may have been cyclist error on this occasion, concern remained within the community about how safe Surf Parade was for pedestrians and cyclists.

“We met with officials of a previous shire administration and explained the dangers to the public, as we see it, of the chicanes and the lack of a footpath, and they said; ‘we’ll sort it out’,” said local business representative Dom Brusamarello.

“But we said the car will win.

“We asked them if they were prepared to risk the safety of the community and the people walking along there,” he said.

The community of Inverloch wants to see a pathway right through to Cape Paterson Road, to help accommodate visitor numbers, not just in summer, but throughout the year.

But, extension of the path as far as the Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club, is the immediate priority.