Canberra cyclists hold memorial ride for two triathletes killed in Gungahlin Drive crash

Hundreds of Canberra cyclists have gathered to remember two members of their community who were killed when they were struck by a car on Gungahlin Drive last month.

Bridie Lee and Ryan Riethmuller were cycling with three others when they were struck by a blue Hyundai Accent at about 6:20am on August 27 in Palmerston.

Ms Lee, 32, died at the scene, while Mr Riethmuller, 39, died days later in hospital.

Members of the public, including an off-duty nurse and police officer, assisted the injured cyclists ahead of emergency services arriving.

The cyclists were part of the ACT's triathlon community, with the group describing the crash as "shocking".

Following the crash, police said the driver of the vehicle, a 40-year-old woman, was assisting police with enquiries.

No charges have yet been laid.

'The worst possible news'

Ms Lee and Mr Riethmuller were members of the Canberra Bilbys Triathlon Club, of which Katie Binstock is club secretary.

Ms Binstock was called on the morning of the crash and came to the scene shortly afterwards.

"It was a shock. They didn't tell me precisely what had happened, probably because they couldn't find the words. So I didn't quite know what to expect," she told ABC 666 Canberra later.

Today Ms Binstock said they held the memorial ride to remember Ms Lee and Mr Riethmuller and to offer support to those who were grieving.

She said it was also an opportunity to encourage people to keep cycling.

"And also, to get together and talk to each other and to hopefully get a bit of courage back to ride on the road as well."

She said in the first week after the crash, only one person showed up for their weekly morning ride, and there had been "hesitancy" to return to the road.

Ms Binstock said the three others who were out cycling that day were being offered support by club members.

"I think the turnout today has been really lovely for the families.

"We get up in the morning, we go outside cycling, and we do that without most of the time without even saying goodbye to our families, because we don't expect not come home, and we shouldn't expect to not come home."

Cyclists 'feel very vulnerable'

ACT Triathlon President Lara Lever said she felt as though she had "lived a lifetime" since the crash.

"I think today represents just how close the both the triathlon and cycling communities are," she said.

She said the fatal crash was a reminder to take care and respect others on the road.

Lasting legacy

Bilby Joe Walsh said they were still in shock about the deaths.

"We've got the opportunity at the moment to come together, and then going forward we've got a long way to go to make sure that we remember Bridie and Ryan as best we can," he said.

Ms Binstock told ABC 666 Canberra that both Ms Lee and Mr Riethmuller were "supportive, friendly and funny people".

"Ryan would turn to you during a bunch ride or a run, and say something funny that just made you forget that you're actually in physical pain," she said.

"We received a message this week from someone who had come to one session about two weeks ago, and she wrote to us and said Bridie was the first person who spoke to her, and following their conversation, she decided that she was going to join the club and become a triathlete."