Jane Farrelly, a mother of two, died while on a group ride with her husband, Ian, and friends near Taupo in March. After she died, her family pleaded with motorists to better share the road with cyclists.
Yesterday, police confirmed that they would not be prosecuting the driver of the truck-and-trailer unit that was in collision with Mrs Farrelly.
Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Kevin Taylor said only the facts of the case were taken into consideration and not the heightened public concern over the safety of cyclists.
"I am aware there is significant commentary around sharing of the roads and cyclists and other motorists. In relation to decisions made on this crash, only the information taken from this police investigation was considered in assessing any driver culpability," he said.
The accident happened in view of Mr Farrelly. He and his wife were in a group of cyclists riding up a hill on 100km/h Poihipi Rd, north of Taupo, when the truck-and-trailer unit, carrying farm implements, came from behind.
Mr Farrelly watched his wife get up out of her seat, which was normal going up a hill, and then look back as if she had sensed something behind her.
She wobbled slightly and collided with the truck.
Last night, Barbara Cuthbert, of Cycle Action Auckland, said she had spoken with Mrs Farrelly's sister Tina McCullough, who told her the family were in shock over the police decision not to lay charges.
"Clearly I'd say they're stunned and horrified by this news."
Mrs Cuthbert was unable to say what message the police decision sent to road users until she had more information.
At Mrs Farrelly's funeral, Ms McCullough asked drivers to think carefully when they saw cyclists on the roads.
"We're mums, we're dads, we're daughters, we're sons. Share the word, share the road," she told mourners.
Also at the funeral, Mr Farrelly spoke of the "void that may never be filled" now his wife of 26 years was gone. He said the accident was "brutal" and it was a tragedy that should never have happened.
The female riders of the group, who cycle with the Manukau City Veterans Cycle Club, were supposed to be competing in a ride around Kinloch which was postponed, but they decided to travel to Taupo anyway.
On average, about 10 cyclists are killed each year in New Zealand in crashes with motor vehicles on public roads.
