Is it safe to cycle in NZ?

[fayevalentine]

http://pathlesspedaled.com/2012/01/road-rage-update/

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6243...m-of-road-rage

Being an avid cyclist, this is kinda worrying...

[mylesdw]

Reading between the lines it was six of one half a dozen of the other. If you shout at a complete stranger and give him "the finger" you don't really know how it's going to turn out. Nothing to do with cycling really.

[ralf-nz]

There are several quite recent threads within this forum on the topic...

[dharder]

Reading between the lines it was six of one half a dozen of the other.

I don't understand this.

Are you saying that the fault is with both to the same extent, or that if you show someone the finger who has just almost run you over, you can expect to be punched?

Daniela

[fayevalentine]

The driver was driving really really close and almost agressively... seems like the driver has no tolerance for cyclists

Reading between the lines it was six of one half a dozen of the other. If you shout at a complete stranger and give him "the finger" you don't really know how it's going to turn out. Nothing to do with cycling really.

[fayevalentine]

I've been following Russ and Luara's blog (www.thepathelesspedaled.com) for a while now and was super excited when they annouced they were going over to NZ to cycle. Even wanted to meet them up if the timing is right. To read that they have been punched in the face by a motorist was really shocking for me as my impression of the people in NZ are really good. Hope this is just a one off nut case..

There are several quite recent threads within this forum on the topic...

[nz_newbie]

@fayevalentine, I guess this is an isolated incident. I am planning to start cycling once I am in NZ.

However, I see a lots of car accidents recently in stuff.co.nz and nz herald from the start of Holiday season.

[fayevalentine]

Yeah i believe it is too. Just kinda unsettling to read reports like this and especially from 2 people whose blog i actually follow.

@fayevalentine, I guess this is an isolated incident. I am planning to start cycling once I am in NZ.

However, I see a lots of car accidents recently in stuff.co.nz and nz herald from the start of Holiday season.

[dharder]

@fayevalentine, I guess this is an isolated incident.

It is only isolated in the degree of violence this particular driver was willing to go into. The underlying attitude is unfortunately not isolated at all. Usually, they restrain themselves though to cutting you off, beeping their horns, shouting abuse out of windows, and gesturing wildly...



Daniela

[fayevalentine]

It is only isolated in the degree of violence this particular driver was willing to go into. The underlying attitude is unfortunately not isolated at all. Usually, they restrain themselves though to cutting you off, beeping their horns, shouting abuse out of windows, and gesturing wildly...

Daniela