Updated
The Deputy Director of Trauma surgery at Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital has issued a warning to both cyclists and motorists after a series of accidents in which cyclists have been seriously injured.
A 39-year-old cyclist, who was hit by a car at Broadmeadow yesterday and flung into a telegraph pole, remains on life support.
The Adamstown man tried to turn right on Lambton Road at 5:15am (AEDT) yesterday afternoon but was hit by an oncoming car.
Dr Cino Bendinelli says both motorists and cyclists need to be aware of each other and take care on the region's roads.
"It's a real problem," he said.
"We are seeing it on a daily basis at the John Hunter Hospital on these beautiful warm days.
"Many people are on their bicycles, which is great, but the roads are dangerous and many of these bike riders end up with very serious injuries.
"We have seen deaths, we have seen spinal injuries, and we hope not to see more of them."
Dr Bendinelli says when a cyclist and a car collide, the bike rider usually comes off second best.
"Unfortunately on a pushbike you are not basically not protected and there is a lot of energy being transmitted onto the cyclist," he said.
"This can end up in very serious injuries - head injuries, spine injuries, abdominal, torso injuries are very common."
Topics: cycling, road, healthcare-facilities, broadmeadow-2292, newcastle-2300
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