Driving in Canberra has its own challenges. Ok so you don’t have to wait hours in traffic jams and its pretty much smooth sailing anywhere. But beware, don’t let your guard down. Keep your eyes open for wildlife that may just decide to cross the road while you are driving at 100 km/hour.
This became very clear to me late one evening cycling in the bicycle lane next to the road. As I was enjoying the wind in my face, I could see in the corner of my eye a huge kangaroo hopping across the road. Kangaroos can grow pretty big and this one was twice as big as me.
In a smooth succession of hops it crossed one side of the road and then as it hopped into the opposite lane it was struck by an unsuspecting driver coming at speed who simply had no chance to see this huge animal suddenly crossing in front of him.
Then in an instant everything was in slow motion… me cycling in the bicycle lane and seeing this huge animal somersaulting as it flew off the car only meters away from me.
For an instant I thought that it would land right smack on top of me. Then adrenalin kicked in and I pedaled as fast as I could. I then heard the creature land with a loud thud on the ground. Wow what a moment. It sounded as if a person had been knocked down.
I stopped a safe distance away to catch my breath and process what I had just witnessed. Miraculously the kangaroo survived and hopped away to die another day. Me? I was thankful I was in one piece and continued to cautiously cycle back home.
My key learning that day was DON’T cycle at dusk when the kangaroos are active and decide to hop across roads. And also keep a look out for flying kangaroos!
Exodus 