Skip to main content

Speed Cycling

A South African cyclist suffered a serious crash during a race in his country, due to an antelope’s lack of awareness of road rules. The cyclist was knocked off his bicycle by a Red Hartebeest buck, which charged across the dirt road he was riding along. The cyclist saw the animal spring from the side of the road but there was little he could do to stop. The antelope dazedly stood up following the impact and then bounded away, apparently unhurt. However the cyclist was left sprawled in the grass.
August 10, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A South African cyclist suffered a serious crash during a race in his country, due to an antelope’s lack of awareness of road rules. The cyclist was knocked off his bicycle by a Red Hartebeest buck, which charged across the dirt road he was riding along. The cyclist saw the animal spring from the side of the road but there was little he could do to stop. The antelope dazedly stood up following the impact and then bounded away, apparently unhurt. However the cyclist was left sprawled in the grass. Footage of the incident was captured by another racer. The cyclist was taken to hospital but did not suffer any serious injuries, despite his helmet shattering with the impact and he was discharged the following morning. Meanwhile in the US a number of road cyclists suffered an embarrassing crash, which was also captured on camera. One cyclist lost control on a bend and crashed into metal barriers by the roadside on the route of the race, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The peloton of riders following closely behind also became involved, with another rider hitting the barriers and one falling off as he collided with a barrier that had been thrown into the road. There were no injuries, other than bruised egos.

Related Content

  • New approach needed in Europe to help improve motorcycle safety
    August 22, 2012
    The European Commission is proposing that part of its controversial new Anti-Tampering regulations for motorcycles should be re-written to prevent custom motorcycle builders from using long-forks. This is the latest in a series of requirements in the regulations to attracted criticisms from motorcycle manufacturers, dealers, safety campaigners and enthusiasts groups.
  • Improving barrier safety for motorcyclists
    February 23, 2012
    Mike Woof reports on delays to better barrier safety for Europe’s powered two wheeler riders. Safety for vulnerable road users continues to be a matter of some debate in Europe. Although powered two wheelers account for a comparatively small number of Europe’s vehicles as well as total distance travelled, they account for a disproportionately large number of accidents. Statistical data shows that by far the greatest risk to users of powered two wheelers as well as other vulnerable road users comes from driv
  • Getting the message
    April 23, 2013
    A British man from Suolk has now been banned from driving for a record 44 times following recent vehicle and theft oences. He has not been fazed by this apparent setback however and has reportedly vowed to continue driving as soon as he completes his 10 month jail term and despite his ongoing disqualication. His last recorded oence was in 2010 when he was involved in a hit and run crash that caused a serious injury to a pedestrian. Following that incident, the man was banned for dangerous
  • Risky reversing
    August 24, 2015
    Many motorcyclists are well aware that car drivers do not look properly before manoeuvring, which is borne out by analysis of crash results. But one lucky biker in Australia found to his surprise that one car driver was even less aware than usual. The motorcycle rider was waiting at a junction when a 4x4, which had come to a halt ahead of the stop line when the lights changed, suddenly reversed. Seeing the car about to impact, the biker jumped aside from his motorcycle. The 4x4 driver, a learner, ignored th