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Annexure “A2”     

 

Extracts from Australian websites re bicycle accidents on pick-a-plank bridges:

Below article appeared in Issue No 142: May - June 1998 of Canberra Cyclist

“How to Rearrange Your Face - PICK-A-PLANK BRIDGES”

On a Tuesday morning at the end of March a group training ride was en route to Tidbinbilla. The Naas Valley has a small plank bridge, usually regarded as fairly harmless if negotiated with care. One rider however slipped a front wheel into a tight crack. The result was a dead stop, projectile crash face down into the planks, bolts and tar. Concussion and severe facial injuries, with broken cheek bones, black eyes, a tooth knocked out, cuts and bruising to mouth and lips resulted. Speedy help by the group, the local farmer, a passing doctor and ambulance transport saved the day. That night surgery closed the main cuts. The two day Milk Tours have often been marred by falls at the Cotter Bridge.  When can we in Canberra get something done to close the gaps on the main bridges? (The Tharwa bridge is also lethal, especially for group riding). The writer realise the problem is found in NSW too, so we are not unique, lets do something before another cops these awful injuries.

Worst crash you've seen...
... some mentioned it after the race Never did find out who he was or if he was badly
injured.   In another race, some bloke fell off on a pick-a-plank bridge and ...
www.cyclingforums.com/t192.html

Below extract from www.cyclingnews.com coverage of the 2004 “2004 Malaysia Airlines Herald Sun Tour of Provincial Victoria”

“A cyclist, Richard England, was badly injured during Stage 9 from Nagambie to Mansfield of the “2004 Malaysia Airlines Herald Sun Tour of Provincial Victoria” on October 21 when his wheel got caught in a wide gap on a timber bridge.  “Menzies wasn't the only rider in the medical wars with Victorian, Richard England (Mitchell Supplies) crashing badly on a "pick a plank" bridge, 91 km into the stage.  England landed heavily on his face, was concussed and later transported to Melbourne's Austin Hospital requiring plastic surgery.“ “ http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2004/oct04/suntour04/?id=results/suntour049

Below extract from http://www.steamsports.org/Archive/steamroom1203.htm

“Thanks to everyone who attended the inaugural Steam Xmas function at the Bronte RSL on Sunday.  Everyone had a good time - if you can think of ways to improve the party please let Anna or Rob know.  And congratulations to all our award winners - Mal Lyons Clubperson of the Year, Tim Porter - best Up and coming athlete and Darryl Allen won the Humanitarian award for all the work he has done for Youth in Search.  Kevin Eley took out the prize for best fall (comic category) after his graceful exit into the hedge at the bottom of York Road (now renamed Eley Gardens) and Adam Radford (surgical category) for his unfortunate altercation with a pick-a-plank bridge in the Snowy Mountains.”

It will be a relief to riders that the "pick a plank" bridge over the Murrumbidgee River at the Cotter is no more; it now has a concrete cap, with a smooth hot mix covering.

After a few kilometres, when you reach the T-Junction turn left over the Dungog bridge
(pick-a-plank bridge be careful!) and cycle back into town.

A "pick-a-plank" bridge. I've raced across one of these in the wet. Needless to say the race rapidly came to a halt as several of those at the front of the bunch were unceremoniously dumped on the road with bent wheels whilst those in the middle and back slipped and slid our way across the wet timber slats in our cleats. Hmmm. Not a good choice of race route

After an “interesting” ride over a pick-a-plank bridge just outside of Noojee, in which several riders fell (and many walked!)

Another year of racing, another weekend of pain and pleasure in the nation's Capital. The Government loves to promote it as Australia’s Cycling Territory, which can only be a good thing for the growth of events and safety when riding in the ACT (but unfortunately it is an incredibly corny catchphrase). So the Canberra Tour, with the backing of the government, Hammer’n’Cycle and The Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets got underway on a cool but sunny Friday afternoon. Slightly altered courses due to the infamous Nass pick-a-plank bridge and the inclusion of a 20km recreational ride gave the event a different edge this year. The abridged story of Australia’s domestic elite cyclists in Canberra begins here...

However, about 1km before we got there, a small “pick a plank” bridge with gaps between the planks brought me and four or five other riders down. I faceplanted into the bridge, cutting my elbow and hand, and bruising my nose.....To cut a long story short, the first aid folks did some patching up before moving me to a supposed ambulance rendezvous point back at the pick a plank bridge(!) After waiting there for what seemed an age with another rider who had broken his arm, I was offered a ride to hospital by an onlooker which I gratefully accepted.  I have a broken arm, broken and dislocated shoulder. All right side. Once the shoulder was put back in, the worst of the pain subsided. It was very badly dislocated, apparently. In a few days I go back to the fracture clinic and they will do a CT scan and I will know how bad the shoulder break is and if it will need to be operated on. The arm break seems to be minor.

Marty had been riding super strong throughout the tour and was looking really good that morning until the “Pick A Plank” bridge caught out the guy in front of him. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery Marty, we need you driving the train at Coota!

Heading toward the big climb of the day – Fitz’s Hill – we descended down to a short “pick-a-plank” bridge.  For those that live in areas with decent roading budgets and don’t know what I’m talking about, these are ancient wooden bridges with planks that run the length of the bridge.  Needless to say, over time the planks move and often leave gaps, about a bike tyre width between them.  Unfortunately, Velo Canberra teammate Marty found one of these gaps and went over the handlebars.