A grieving father is calling for urgent change to road safety practices after the tragic death of his daughter. Teen cyclist Fyfa Dawson, who was killed in a crash in an area affected by ongoing roadworks.

Fyfa, described by friends and family as a passionate young cyclist with a bright future. Lost her life while riding through a stretch of road where detours and barriers were in place. Her father believes poor planning and a lack of safe passageways for cyclists directly contributed to the tragedy.

“The roadworks put vehicles first — not people. My daughter’s death shouldn’t have happened,” he said.

He recently took part in a restorative justice meeting with the driver involved in the crash — an emotional process that, while painful, helped both families find some measure of peace.

“It brought understanding and some healing,” he said, “but it also made clear how broken our road safety systems are. Vulnerable road users are still an afterthought.”

Road safety advocates are now urging councils and contractors to place greater emphasis on protecting cyclists and pedestrians during infrastructure projects. They argue that safety planning should not be compromised for the sake of traffic flow or project deadlines.

Fyfa’s death has reignited discussions about how New Zealand’s roads are designed — and for whom. Campaigners are calling for “people-first” planning, ensuring that all road users, including children, have safe spaces to travel.

As her father continues to speak out, he hopes his daughter’s story will lead to change.

“If her death can stop this from happening to another family — that’s how she’ll live on,” he said.

Fyfa Dawson’s legacy, he hopes, will be a lasting reminder that roads should protect everyone — not just drivers.