City cyclists all have first- or second-hand stories to tell about accidents, close calls, car doors and other perils of urban cycling. Derek Chadbourne, a member of Advocacy and Respect for Cyclists (ARC) is no exception. Chadbourne’s friend was thrown off his bike after hitting a particularly large pothole near Adelaide and Victoria. The accident destroyed his front wheel, but he got off with a few bumps and bruises. You could call this good luck — at least he didn’t find himself underneath a passing vehicle.
It’s a situation that wouldn’t surprise Daniel Egan, the city’s manager of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
“I’ve talked to lots of cyclists who’ve hit a pothole and crashed,” he says.
Potholes are inconvenient in a car. Rough roads also cause wear and tear on the vehicle. But on a bicycle, potholes are downright dangerous.
