Mike Hall Inquest
Discussion
Confused reporting by the BBC, 60 mph, turning onto the highway, dark, couldn’t see, dark clothing.....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-4562238...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-4562238...
There's quite a lot on the internet suggesting that the Australian police investigation into this might not have been as robust as it should have.
https://cycle.org.au/index.php/articles/mike-hall-...
https://cycle.org.au/index.php/articles/mike-hall-...
Australia is the only place that I regularly travel to where I won't take my bike, just not worth the danger - Australians are (in general) very dangerous around cyclists, and the entire culture there is hostile to cyclists.
I end up doing more running than normal for a couple of weeks, so it's no major hassle. I have refused an offer to move there because of the cycling situation though.
I end up doing more running than normal for a couple of weeks, so it's no major hassle. I have refused an offer to move there because of the cycling situation though.
Zigster said:
There's quite a lot on the internet suggesting that the Australian police investigation into this might not have been as robust as it should have.
https://cycle.org.au/index.php/articles/mike-hall-...
It's absurd that they'd 'recreate' the conditions so poorly to test for visibility, especially when actual footage already exists. I don't know the equipment models Mike was using for every item but he was hot on personal safety and had more experience than almost anybody on the road. https://cycle.org.au/index.php/articles/mike-hall-...
The other angle that the media will find attractive is the 'Hunger Games on wheels' theme. This is harder to dismiss and I think I've even used a similar description on my blog but context is important. There are plenty of reasons to scratch but we're not grinding ourselves into the ground until we die of exhaustion or sleep deprivation. This is all irrelevant anyway as it's stated that Mike was riding in the correct position on the road. He had also just had a decent rest and he was securely in second place at the time, with no chance of losing or improving that; so there was nothing to gain by taking extra risk. He'd already demonstrated earlier in the race (when he was in contention for an epic victory) that he was happy to stop racing when he found the conditions too dangerous.
It seems this is purely a case of the driver not seeing him. Therefore the inquest seems to hinge upon whether Mike was appropriately equipped for riding at night. Hopefully the shoddy recreation can be exposed as such. It would be awful if Mike's death was used to attack the sport he championed.
Summary of day 2
"From the Abdullah Zainab documentary video, Senior Constable Potts today agreed that there were four reflective elements on Mike’s bike: a front light, a rear light, a rear reflector, and a reflective element on his helmet.
Senior Constable Potts refused to concede that this was a better representation of how Mike’s bike appeared. He would only concede that it too was a good representation, as was the AFP’s recreation video of Mike’s bike which only showed a dull rear light."
"From the Abdullah Zainab documentary video, Senior Constable Potts today agreed that there were four reflective elements on Mike’s bike: a front light, a rear light, a rear reflector, and a reflective element on his helmet.
Senior Constable Potts refused to concede that this was a better representation of how Mike’s bike appeared. He would only concede that it too was a good representation, as was the AFP’s recreation video of Mike’s bike which only showed a dull rear light."
It seems the inquest has now closed and the failings and biases in the police investigation haven't been overcome. Anna, his partner, is looking at options for continuing this and I'm sure will have the support of the cycling community. It would be twice the tragedy if no kind of change in the culture and attitudes to cyclists comes from Mike's death.
The report from Day 3, plus a statement from Anna, is on the Cycle site now.
https://cycle.org.au/index.php/articles/mike-hall-...
I have signed up as a member of the Cycle organisation to thank them for their role in this, and to give them a few quid that they might use to perform similarly good services in the future.
https://cycle.org.au/index.php/articles/mike-hall-...
I have signed up as a member of the Cycle organisation to thank them for their role in this, and to give them a few quid that they might use to perform similarly good services in the future.
Horrible situation for Anna and Patricia to have to rake through this
I hope it helps them both in their grieving
I'm not for speculating ahead of the coroner's findings, but it is pretty clear to me that she is leaning towards Mike having been the innocent party in this terrible incident
I hope it helps them both in their grieving
I'm not for speculating ahead of the coroner's findings, but it is pretty clear to me that she is leaning towards Mike having been the innocent party in this terrible incident
Cycle's summing up from the inquest.
https://cycle.org.au/index.php/articles/mike-hall-...
Some of it makes for uncomfortable reading but ultimately it points to a cultural bias against cyclists, where investigators seem to have tried to put fault on everybody except for the driver who struck Mike.
I'm not sure how to feel. I've no specific urge to see the driver's life ruined by a prison sentence but I find the attitudes shown by the investigation abhorrent. Attitudes need to change. Culture needs to change. The uncomfortable truth may be that this young driver does need to face a stiff penalty for that to happen but that change won't come while the levers of justice and policing carry such bias into their work.
https://cycle.org.au/index.php/articles/mike-hall-...
Some of it makes for uncomfortable reading but ultimately it points to a cultural bias against cyclists, where investigators seem to have tried to put fault on everybody except for the driver who struck Mike.
I'm not sure how to feel. I've no specific urge to see the driver's life ruined by a prison sentence but I find the attitudes shown by the investigation abhorrent. Attitudes need to change. Culture needs to change. The uncomfortable truth may be that this young driver does need to face a stiff penalty for that to happen but that change won't come while the levers of justice and policing carry such bias into their work.
It is a good piece of work by Cycle to deal with the incident in such detail
I would like to see the Coroner's report
But, in the face of: unroadworthy car, novice driver, sloppy evidence gathering and policing, I have already reached the conclusion that Mike was the wholly innocent part in this horrible tragedy. I am also certain that the driver did not mean for it to happen.
That gives no real comfort to anyone though really.
Hopefully the good work done by Cycle will gather support and lead to changes that make Australia's roads safer for everyone
Be careful out there
I would like to see the Coroner's report
But, in the face of: unroadworthy car, novice driver, sloppy evidence gathering and policing, I have already reached the conclusion that Mike was the wholly innocent part in this horrible tragedy. I am also certain that the driver did not mean for it to happen.
That gives no real comfort to anyone though really.
Hopefully the good work done by Cycle will gather support and lead to changes that make Australia's roads safer for everyone
Be careful out there
Made it into my local paper
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17466016.north-yo...
"Mr Hall's death was avoidable, which makes the loss of this remarkable person even more keenly felt by his family and the community.
"It is unfortunate that the investigation into his death has been to some degree compromised by the loss of significant evidence in the form of his clothing and bicycle accoutrements.
"There is, however, sufficient evidence for his death to be the catalyst for changes that will enhance rider safety into the future."
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17466016.north-yo...
"Mr Hall's death was avoidable, which makes the loss of this remarkable person even more keenly felt by his family and the community.
"It is unfortunate that the investigation into his death has been to some degree compromised by the loss of significant evidence in the form of his clothing and bicycle accoutrements.
"There is, however, sufficient evidence for his death to be the catalyst for changes that will enhance rider safety into the future."
IPWR posted this earlier on their FB feed, they don’t hold back on the “quality” of the police investigation....
Close to two years after participants set out from Fremantle for the inaugural Indian Pacific Wheel Race, the release of the findings in the Coronial Investigation into the death of Mike Hall brings the event to a conclusion.
There is no criticism made by Coroner Boss of us, in the findings as the organisers of the Indian Pacific Wheel Race. We, nor any Dragon Face Pty Ltd employee were ever formally interviewed by police investigating Mike’s death.
Coroner Boss has ruled that Mike’s death was avoidable – and we agree.
Listening to the evidence presented to the court late last year, like many, we are frustrated by the Australian Federal Police handling of the crime scene on the Monaro Highway. Visibility was a key consideration during the inquest. Unfortunately, important reflective equipment used by Mike to stay visible on the morning of his death was not seized at the time of the accident and therefore was not able to be considered by the court. According to Coroner Boss “Regrettably, the clothing worn by Mr Hall was not dealt with in accordance with normal police procedures for retaining evidence.” It is disappointing that the world-class standard that Mike held himself to in life was not matched by the team investigating the circumstances of his death.
Mike was a professional – as a competitor, as a race convenor, and as a cyclist. In the words of Coroner Boss, Mike was "exceedingly experienced". It is our view given our experience riding with him that he knew what was necessary to remain visible in all conditions. He rode through most of 13 nights in the last days of his life, cycling 5,000 km across Australia. During that journey he was passed safely by thousands of vehicles, day and night. It has been disappointing throughout this process that there has been doubt as to his behaviour on this day.
It cannot be said that the driver of the vehicle that collided with Mike set out that morning March 31, 2017, intending to or would ever have wished to take a life. But the release of the findings does not change the fact that Mike Hall’s name was added to the long and unnecessary list of cyclist deaths on Australian roads. Many lives were irrevocably altered that morning close to two years ago and our thoughts, as always, are with Mike’s family and loved ones.
Mike was a friend, and as such, it will take some time to digest the findings in their entirety. This process has left us overwhelmingly sad, confused and at times, angry. Further comment may be made once this report has been appropriately considered.
Until then, we remind all road users that our roads are a shared space. Respect and look out for one another. Your patience will save lives.
Thank you for your understanding.
The findings can be found here - https://courts.act.gov.au/magistrates/decisions/in...
📸 Credit: Gene Kehoe
Close to two years after participants set out from Fremantle for the inaugural Indian Pacific Wheel Race, the release of the findings in the Coronial Investigation into the death of Mike Hall brings the event to a conclusion.
There is no criticism made by Coroner Boss of us, in the findings as the organisers of the Indian Pacific Wheel Race. We, nor any Dragon Face Pty Ltd employee were ever formally interviewed by police investigating Mike’s death.
Coroner Boss has ruled that Mike’s death was avoidable – and we agree.
Listening to the evidence presented to the court late last year, like many, we are frustrated by the Australian Federal Police handling of the crime scene on the Monaro Highway. Visibility was a key consideration during the inquest. Unfortunately, important reflective equipment used by Mike to stay visible on the morning of his death was not seized at the time of the accident and therefore was not able to be considered by the court. According to Coroner Boss “Regrettably, the clothing worn by Mr Hall was not dealt with in accordance with normal police procedures for retaining evidence.” It is disappointing that the world-class standard that Mike held himself to in life was not matched by the team investigating the circumstances of his death.
Mike was a professional – as a competitor, as a race convenor, and as a cyclist. In the words of Coroner Boss, Mike was "exceedingly experienced". It is our view given our experience riding with him that he knew what was necessary to remain visible in all conditions. He rode through most of 13 nights in the last days of his life, cycling 5,000 km across Australia. During that journey he was passed safely by thousands of vehicles, day and night. It has been disappointing throughout this process that there has been doubt as to his behaviour on this day.
It cannot be said that the driver of the vehicle that collided with Mike set out that morning March 31, 2017, intending to or would ever have wished to take a life. But the release of the findings does not change the fact that Mike Hall’s name was added to the long and unnecessary list of cyclist deaths on Australian roads. Many lives were irrevocably altered that morning close to two years ago and our thoughts, as always, are with Mike’s family and loved ones.
Mike was a friend, and as such, it will take some time to digest the findings in their entirety. This process has left us overwhelmingly sad, confused and at times, angry. Further comment may be made once this report has been appropriately considered.
Until then, we remind all road users that our roads are a shared space. Respect and look out for one another. Your patience will save lives.
Thank you for your understanding.
The findings can be found here - https://courts.act.gov.au/magistrates/decisions/in...
📸 Credit: Gene Kehoe
SVS said:
What a terrible tragedy this is.
I've studied the report to see if there's anything I can learn to protect myself. Reading such varied accounts from driver witnesses is pretty terrifying, even considering the impact of their statements being given so long after the event. What's clear is that he would be visible to drivers paying appropriate attention. Putting that trust into other road users is far and away the scariest part of riding a bike.Gruffy said:
... there were four reflective elements on Mike’s bike: a front light, a rear light, a rear reflector, and a reflective element on his helmet.
I wonder if that’s enough for cycling after dark on a 60mph road. Mike was using the same Supernova E3 tail light that I use. I run it 24/7 but at night I pair it with a Moon Nebula mounted on the outside seat stay on pulsing mode. My approach is to have decent reflective elements on my heels (3M tape) and shoe covers, on the basis that these help identify a cyclist. I like to have a static light and a pulsing light (preferable to a flashing light IMO) to cover conspicuity and depth perception. I also run reflective tape on the seat stays, seat post and forks. I've had enough SMIDSY's, light contacts and a full-on hit and run, all in perfect conditions, to know that none of this can guarantee drivers will be competent enough to notice me. The change we need is a cultural one but wider society seems to be shifting in the opposite direction where everybody is more cocooned in self-interest and ignorant of their impact on others.
Edited by Gruffy on Friday 1st March 12:29
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff