A national cycling advocacy group is calling for a safety audit of the Harewood shared pathway where Christchurch real estate agent Sally Fitzgerald was seriously injured after being struck by a cyclist last November.

Fitzgerald suffered a broken nose, broken shoulder, broken elbow, broken rib, concussion, chipped teeth and 14 stitches to her lip. Six months on she is still in physiotherapy and only recently regained enough strength to sign her name with her right hand. The cyclist has never made contact and faced no consequences.

Her husband Mike Fitzgerald has called for greater cyclist accountability, more awareness of the rule giving pedestrians priority on shared paths, and a rethink of how shared pathways are designed alongside roads that already have painted cycle lanes. He also wants planners to give more thought to visibility hazards at driveways, particularly where vegetation or fencing limits sightlines.

“I think there needs to be more awareness from cyclists, and probably needs to be some more consequences,” Fitzgerald said.

Cycling Action Network spokesman Patrick Morgan said the incident highlighted the importance of good path design over education alone.

“In this location there’s clearly an issue with visibility at the hedge and fenceline, which may have been a factor,” Morgan said. “The shared path design needs a safety audit with recommendations for reducing risk.”

He said bells and calling out were useful but no substitute for proper path design, and that New Zealand cities were increasingly moving toward separated walking and cycling infrastructure, partly driven by the growth of e-bikes and other electric devices.

ACC Injury Prevention Leader James Whitaker said shared path users needed to stay alert.

“If you are using a shared pathway you need to remain alert and be aware of the risk of injury,” Whitaker said.

ACC advice for cyclists includes using lights day and night, giving other path users plenty of space when passing, and always wearing a properly fitted helmet. Pedestrians are advised to wear bright clothing and avoid phones and headphones.

An NZTA spokesman said the Road Code required cyclists on shared paths to use slower speeds, give way to slower users, pass with at least a metre gap, and warn pedestrians with a bell or voice well in advance.