A truck driver has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a cyclist on a remote stretch of the Eyre Highway in outback Western Australia.
The ABC reports that police will allege a 36-year-old South Australian man was driving a road train on Eyre Highway on Thursday when it struck a cyclist near Madura, about 190km west of the SA border.
Chris Barker, 62, who was taking part in the Indian Pacific Wheel Race, an annual road cycling race from Fremantle to Sydney, died at the scene.
The ABC reports that the driver appeared before a magistrate via a video link on Saturday and was remanded in custody to appear again on April 3.
He didn’t apply for bail.
Police have charged a man in connection wiith an accident on the Eyre Highway. PIC: WA Police
In a tribute posted online, Chris Barker’s son Aiden said his “heart is broken”.
In a second separate incident, another Indian Pacific Wheel Ride competitor in his 50s was hit by a vehicle near Frasers Range, about 100km east of Norseman on Thursday morning.
Police say that, at about 8am, a cyclist – travelling east on Eyre Highway – was struck by a passing vehicle, possibly a truck, which was also travelling east. The male rider – aged in his 50s – was taken to Norseman Hospital by St John WA, before he was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital with serious injuries.
Investigations are being conducted to confirm the other vehicle involved.
Mr Barker, who was taking part in the Indian Pacific Wheel Ride for the sixth time, is believed to be the second cyclist to die in that event.
The ABC reports that, in 2017, ultra-endurance racer Mike Hall was hit by a car and killed on the Monaro Highway in the ACT.
It is also not the first cyclist fatality on the Eyre Highway.
In April 2021, an environmental campaigner who was cycling across the country was killed by a truck on the Nullarbor.
Before the March 16 start of the Indian Pacific Wheel Ride, long-distance cyclist Kevin P appealed to grey nomads and other travellers to keep an eye out for cyclists.
“Please give them at least one metre where speed limits are 60km/h or less, and 1.5 metres when the speed limit is higher,” he said. “Remember, you are allowed to cross solid lines to overtake a cyclist, provided it is safe to do so.”
He said those taking part were experienced long-distance cyclists who carried their own camping gear, food and water as they made their way along the 5,471 km course.
“Australia is a great place for a camping road trip,” he said. “Some of us just prefer a smaller, slower vehicle for the journey!”
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All to sad this happened RIP rider, but as the train line is damaged due to floods there will be more and more trucks on the Eyre Highway, so having bikes on it too was an accident waiting to happen. The bike event should have been postponed until the train line is up and running it may of prevented this happening. I know ‘what if’ but common sense should be 1st.
Sections of the Eyre Highway are accidents waiting to happen for all road users. The road is in desperate need of wide shoulders so that cyclists and other slow moving traffic can move across for overtaking trucks. The sections that do have good shoulders are so much more relaxing and safer to drove on.
You would know if your second or third trailer hit some one and when you move over in a hurry your trailers will sway from side to side I’m sorry for the family’s of the cyclist kille in what is a accident but with the rail line closed there will be hundreds more truck movements event should have been postponed or better sill get them to ride beside train line
Cycling events on highways should have as a mandatory requirement, Signed “Pilot” vehicle at front and rear of pack.
There are no packs on ultra distance rides. After 2 days the fastest rider was more than 600km ahead of the slowest. It’s not unusual to ride all day and not see another rider.
There is no official event. There is no race director, no officials and no organisers. Riders from all over the world choose to ride across the country on the 3rd Saturday each March at 6:22am, following a course set in 2017 in honour of Mike Hall using rules that he set for races he created.
It’s basically riders legally travelling across the country on their own by bicycle, who happen to start at the same time, following the same course. For safety we use tracking devices that have personal locator beacons and give real-time location and allow pre-set messages to be sent. It helps people know where we are if assistance is required. I use mine all year round and take it when hiking.
I’ll be leaving Fremantle again next March riding in honour of Mike Hall and Chris Barker. I’m not racing anyone, I’m simply doing a road trip across Australia by bicycle. Other riders may also decide to do the same. Whether I’m alone or others choose to do the same, we are legal vehicles on the road. We ride safely, obeying the traffic laws and remain safe provided drivers do the same.
Have you watched the television advertising showing a trainee heavy transport driver being asked if the areas around the vehicle are clear, and when the trainee gets out of the prime mover cabin can immediately see people in blind spots. The message is to stay well clear of heavy vehicles.
Imagine driving on a highway at 90-100 kmh fully loaded, dangerous edges on the roadway that can cause blown tyres or pull trailers off course and then a very slow bicycle and rider appear in front, worse when there are vehicles coming towards the heavy transport vehicle so no way the driver can use the other side of the road. There are many other examples that should be considered.
Push bikes are not permitted on motorways, so why are they allowed to use country highways?
I used to ride a push bike on the roads but decided after several close calls it was enough. Triple road trains are big and half a metre at the front means massive swings in trailers at the rear, faced with bad road conditions, other traffic you would have to be mad to ride on that road on a push bike. Its sad that someone has died, but really you should have a realistic look at the risks of riding a push bike on major highways.
Two B doubles passing at 100km/h and a bike in the mix I’m not surprised some poor devil was killed. Came over from Adelaide in the last 3 days and there are trucks everywhere. Norseman to Southern Cross tomorrow then off out on the Bullfinch road , won’t be sorry to get away from trucks.
We are Very sorry to the family of the rider. We were travelling along the Eyre Hwy at the same time and passed many of the riders before and after Madura. As it was early morning and the sun rising we found it very difficult to spot the riders ahead and unfortunately many of the rides weren’t wearing hi viz.