Driver charged after cyclist killed in alleged hit-and-run in Melbourne

A driver has been charged after a cyclist, understood to be a delivery rider, died in an alleged hit-and-run in Port Melbourne.

A car struck the cyclist on Plummer Street just after 8pm on Tuesday night, Victoria police said in a statement.

The cyclist, a 27-year-old Southbank man, died at the scene. The Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) said the cyclist killed is the 18th food delivery rider known to have died in Australia since 2017.

The driver of the car initially fled, police alleged. A short time later he handed himself into police.

A 32-year-old Port Melbourne man has since been charged with failing to stop and render assistance at an accident, according to a police statement. He was bailed to appear before Melbourne magistrates’ court on Thursday.

“For a food delivery rider to not return home after a shift is a senseless tragedy that his family and the wider gig community will be now forced to grapple with,” TWU national secretary, Michael Kaine, said in a statement.

“Gig workers in Australia working in food delivery are some of the most vulnerable workers in this country.

“Food delivery riders currently have no rights like a safe and fair minimum wage, sick leave, protection against unfair contract terminations, and workers’ compensation in the horrific event something goes wrong.”

The TWU is preparing to submit applications to the Fair Work Commission on fairer standards for gig workers next week, with the Closing Loopholes legislation taking effect from 26 August.

• This article was amended on 22 August 2024. It initially said a 32-year-old Port Melbourne man was charged with failing to stop and render assistance at an accident and drink driving, based on a statement by Victoria police. Victoria police later amended their statement to clarify that he was not charged with drink driving.