Cyclist knocked off bike, helmet split in two

A teenage cyclist who was struck by an 84-year-old driver suffered from headaches and still feels anxious about getting back on her bike.

The driver, Francesca Menzies, was sentenced in the Nelson District Court yesterday on charges of careless driving causing injury and failing to report an accident. Judge Mary O’Dwyer read from the police summary of facts that outlined the incident on July 19, 2023. At 3.20pm, Menzies was driving south on Richmond’s Hill St. School had just ended, and there was moderate traffic on the roads. The 14-yearold cyclist was travelling in the same direction, heading home on her bicycle.

The teen moved out to pass a parked car, and as she did so, Menzies passed her, striking her and knocking her off her bike.

“The essential element was you failed to give her enough room while passing her,” the judge said.

The teen fell on the road, her helmet striking the road and splitting in two.

Menzies’ lawyer, Dave Holloway, said she had stopped after the accident and exchanged numbers with the victim’s mother, who had arrived on the scene.

However, she was unaware she should have reported the incident to the police, Holloway said.

Menzies’ driver’s licence was suspended and then later revoked on medical grounds. She has not driven for several months, he said. Menzies, who had an “unblemished record”, engaged with police and was willing to undergo restorative justice, although this was prevented by her ill health, Holloway said. She had written the teen an apology and sent flowers and a voucher.

The judge called the incident “an unfortunate accident” that had left the teenager with bad headaches and an inability to concentrate.

“She is anxious when she rides her bike; she hopes it won’t ever happen again.”

The judge acknowledged Menzies’ efforts to make amends with a “sincere apology”.

“You have acknowledged the harm she’s experienced.”

Insurance had covered the costs of the accident, which meant no reparation was required, the judge said.

Given Menzies’ clean record, her efforts to make amends, her early guilty plea and her co-operation with police, the judge considered her conviction was sufficient and no further sentence was required.