Boy calls for cycle path after near-death experience

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The family of a Torquay teenager who was hit by a car and left fighting for his life are calling for a new cycle path.

Aaron Tremul was just 14 when he was left with a collapsed lung, broken ribs and a perforated liver, among other injuries, after being hit by a car between Bells Beach and Southside.

Aaron, now 16, said he and a friend drove from Torquay to Anglesea to visit friends and took the Surf Coast Walk to avoid cars.

On the only half-mile stretch where bicycles are required to ride on the road, Aaron was hit by a car.

He was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital.

His mother, Leann Tremul, said she didn’t even know he would be on the road.

“If I had known, I would never have let him go,” she said.

“I was very grateful that he had a good helmet on, which was destroyed and I think it saved his life.”

Last week the Temul family launched a petition urging Regional Roads Victoria to prioritize the construction of a cycle path between the Bells Beach car park and the Southside car park

The petition already has more than 1,000 signatures.

“The lack of proper bicycle access puts cyclists at significant risk,” says Temul.

“It is time this missing link between Torquay and Anglesea was addressed.”

Ms Temul said the cycle path along that piece of land would be a partnership between Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority. Surf Coast Shire, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Aboriginal Corporation and VicRoads.

Surf Coast Shire general manager of placemaking and environment Chris Pike said the council had worked with the Department of Transport and Planning to reduce the speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h and was in the process of installing warning signs for bicycles.

“We are keen to attract funding to help us work with other agencies to investigate a safer cycle route in the area,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport and Planning said it would continue to work with the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority and the shire on safer long-term connections for active transport users in the area.

Surf Coast Mountain Bike Club vice-president Brett Coleman said he supported the petition as the Surf Coast Walk was a major asset for cycling in the area, but this stretch of road made it less attractive to families and visitors.

“That section between Bells Beach and Southside is a missing piece in that whole puzzle,” he said.

“A lot of families won’t do it or won’t let their kids do it because of this period.”

The content summaries are created using AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

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