The sister of a woman killed in a cycling accident is
appealing to motorists to be aware of sharing the road with
cyclists.
Speaking at her sister Jane Farrelly's funeral in Auckland
yesterday, Tina McCullough urged drivers to think carefully
about their actions when near cyclists on the road.
Her 50-year-old sister, a cycling enthusiast and
mother-of-two, died one week ago while on a group ride with
friends near Taupo.
Ms McCullough, also a cyclist, had a clear message for
drivers: "We're mums, we're dads, we're daughters, sons."
"Share the word, share the road," she told mourners at
Auckland's Manukau Memorial Gardens chapel.
She also urged cyclists to be extra vigilant on the road.
"Be careful out there. Take care."
Jane Farrelly's husband, Ian, was cycling behind his wife
when she was knocked off her bike and dragged under a truck.
He met his wife when he was 17, and struggled to contain his
emotions as he addressed the packed chapel yesterday.
"Wife, friend, soulmate and mother," Mr Farrelly said.
"You've stood up to the mark."
He described the circumstances of last Saturday's accident as
"brutal".
It was a tragedy which should never have happened, he said.
After 26 years of marriage, Mr Farrelly said moving on
without his beloved would be difficult.
Her death has left a "void that may never be filled", he
said.
Jane Farrelly's father, Peter Cooper, also addressed mourners
at the service. He was supported by his wife and five other
family members as he recounted fond memories of his
daughter's life.
Warm stories from Mr and Mrs Farrelly's two teenage sons, Ben
and Nick, drew smiles and even giggles from mourners.
The elder of the pair, 19-year-old university student Ben,
recounted how his mother strived to do the best for her sons.
She was a member of the board of trustees at both his primary
and high schools, he said.
"This is how she made sure the schools we were going to were
fine."
It was hard to catch a break, he said mischievously.
At the time of her death, Mrs Farrelly worked in logistics at
K-Mart and was the chairwoman of the board of trustees at
James Cook High School in south Auckland.
Members of the school's Kapa Haka group paid tribute to Mrs
Farrelly in an emotionally charged performance at the
conclusion of the funeral service.
Representatives of the Farrellys' Manukau City Veterans
cycling club were also in attendance.
Clad in yellow jerseys, the cyclists lined the chapel exit to
farewell the vivacious mother-of-two.
Police yesterday said the investigation into Mrs Farrelly's
death was still in its early stages.
No charges have been laid in relation to the incident, Taupo
police Senior Sergeant Fane Troy said.
Each year, about 10 cyclists are killed in crashes with motor
vehicles on New Zealand roads, according to the Transport
Ministry.
Recent clashes between cyclists and motor vehicles have
outraged members of New Zealand's cycling community.
Last month, a dairy farmer was charged with wounding with
intent to cause grievous bodily harm after an alleged
road-rage incident near Taupo. Police said the farmer got out
of his ute and hit Ironman entrant Alistair Slade, who was
training at the time.
In January, another Ironman entrant was forced to undergo
back surgery after being hit from behind on his bike while
riding in the Waitakere ranges.
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