Son of Deceased Cyclist Pleads for Safer Wellington Cycleways

Matthew Eyre addressed the Wellington City Council on May 19, 2026, to advocate for the implementation of segregated cycleways in the capital. Speaking on behalf of his late father, Eyre described the provision of safe cycling infrastructure as a matter of ethics.

The testimony took place during hearings regarding the council’s annual plan. While Eyre expressed gratitude for the work performed by the councillors, he used the platform to highlight the long-term grief experienced by his family following a fatal cycling accident.

The 2008 Silverstream Accident

The plea is rooted in the death of Desmond Leonard Eyre, who was 61 years old when he was killed in June 2008. The accident occurred while he was cycling in Silverstream, Upper Hutt.

According to a 2010 coroner’s report, a driver had parked a ute next to a bus stop on Fergusson Dr. When the driver opened the door, it struck the bicycle, which caused Desmond Leonard Eyre to be catapulted into the path of an oncoming truck.

Desmond Leonard Eyre died from the injuries sustained in the collision. The driver of the ute, Sean Geerlings, was subsequently found guilty of careless driving causing death.

Council Budget and Infrastructure Debates

The advocacy comes at a time when the Wellington City Council is reviewing its spending on cycling infrastructure. As part of the annual plan’s public consultation, the council has asked respondents for their views on whether to reduce a $10.5 million cycleway budget.

The proposed budget cuts include the potential removal of a planned cycle lane on Victoria St. Matthew Eyre argued that his father’s death occurred specifically because there was no cycle lane available at the time of the accident.

During his address to the council, Eyre spoke on the enduring emotional impact of the loss:

You may not like cyclists, you may not like cycle lanes, you may not want to fund them. How many more people are going to have to go through the personal hell that I’ve been living with for 17 years because of some procedural niceties?

Matthew Eyre

Eyre told councillors that the city requires segregated cycle lanes to ensure safety for all road users. He asserted that these lanes are necessary not only to remove cyclists from the main flow of traffic but also to protect motorists.

The testimony was part of a broader series of submissions the Wellington City Council has been hearing regarding the allocation of the cycleway budget and the future of urban cycling safety in the city.