Sueke family welcomes bike path study

THE family of Henri Sueke has welcomed an announcement that the state government is looking into building a cycleway along the stretch of road where he was tragically killed in May.

The 36-year-old doctor and father of four died after becoming trapped under a wheel of a truck while cycling to work along New South Head Road in Rose Bay on May 28.

Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton announced last week that the state government will provide $45,000 to Woollahra Council to investigate the feasibility of a 2.3 kilometre shared cyclist and pedestrian path along the road from William Street in Double Bay to Norwich Road in Rose Bay.

“The death of local resident, Dr Henri Sueke, was a tragedy not only for his family, but all those whom he touched – our local community in the eastern suburbs, the Jewish community and the many children and their families who he helped through his medical work,” she told The AJN.

“While the funding for the cycle way study on New South Head Road in Rose Bay does not bring Dr Sueke back, it will contribute to improving safety for cyclists in our local area.”

She added: “Improving safety and connectivity in our area is vital for cyclists given it is a mode of travel and recreation that is very popular in the Eastern Suburbs.”

A spokesperson for Sueke’s family said: “We welcome the announcement of the proposed cycleway in Woollahra and see it as a step in the right direction.

“As important as this initiative is, the family feels that this is only the first step in tackling the complex issue of bike safety. There are so many other areas that require attention, not only in this part of Sydney, but in broad terms across the country.

“It is our aim to work with cycle groups and formulate a national plan to minimise, as much as humanly possible, the risk of a similar tragedy recurring. We want out roads to be safer not only for cyclists but for all commuters.”

Woollahra Mayor Toni Zeltzer said council staff had been working closely with Roads and Maritime Services “for some time” to achieve an off road cycle path along that section of New South Head Road.

“We thank the NSW Government for investing in our local area to resolve this important issue for our community,” she said.

Originally from Manchester, Sueke came to Sydney in March this year with his Australian-born wife Dani and their children, taking up a role at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead as a paediatric ophthalmologist.

In August this year, more than 50 people took part in the City2Surf in a team dedicated in Sueke’s honour, raising thousands of dollars for Vision4Children and the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, both of which were charities close to Sueke’s heart.

GARETH NARUNSKY