Errant driver says sorry with bike

A Taranaki man forked out $3400 to buy a new bike for the cyclist he knocked over and is now paying for his own driving lessons to make sure his motoring skills are kept up to scratch.

The steps Malcolm John Tippett had taken to put things right after he was prosecuted for hitting multisport athlete Brenda Crummey with his car were praised in the New Plymouth District Court on Thursday.

‘‘My summary of the matter is that you have done all that the court can expect you to do to right the wrong,’’ Judge Chris Sygrove told the 58-year-old.

Judge Sygrove said it was lucky Crummey had not been seriously injured, but she had forgiven Tippett. The two had met at a restorative justice meeting prior to the defendant’s sentencing.

On May 16, Tippett was driving his vehicle on Devon St West in New Plymouth about 5.30am.

At the same time, Crummey was riding along Robe St, wearing reflective safety clothing and a helmet. She also had lights on the front and rear of her bicycle.

Tippett made a right hand turn onto Robe St by maneuvering inside a traffic island and driving on the wrong side of the road for 30 metres.

Because of this, he was unable to avoid Crummey and knocked her off the bike. She suffered a concussion and skin abrasions.

While thankful she escaped serious injury, Crummey’s heart still sank as she knew her beloved bike had been a casualty.

Losing her bike put the woman’s passion for road cycling at risk, a sport she first started at the age of 27 and which sees her clock about 150 kilometres a week. It was also her main form of transport to, and from, work.

But within a week of the accident, Tippett made arrangements to buy Crummey a new bike, to the tune of $3400.

Tippett addressed the court during his hearing and said he was ‘‘deeply ashamed and embarrassed’’ by what he had done. He previously pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing injury.

He said he had violated a basic road rule when he caused the accident and had since engaged the help of an instructor in order to make sure he did what he could to be safe while out driving. He said he intended to meet with the driving instructor every year once he was legally able to drive again.

Along with a 12-month driving disqualification, Tippett was fined $500 plus court costs.