Road safety

MELBOURNE, July 26 AAP - A coroner has recommended closer monitoring of road cycling safety after a cyclist fatally struck an elderly pedestrian during one of Melbourne's notorious Hell Rides.

The coroner in Melbourne found 77-year-old James Gould's death could have been avoided if the cycling pack travelling at speed had obeyed the road rules on Beach Road on August 26 last year.

Coroner Graeme Johnstone recommended that groups of cyclists travelling at speed on main roads or suburban streets be managed by road safety authorities and cycling groups.

``Undisciplined large groups of cyclists like the Hell Ride need to be discouraged as they are a significant safety risk to the public as well as themselves,'' Mr Johnstone said.

He said extensive research on dangerous cycling behaviour should aim to develop action in a bid to avoid catastrophic events.