Police inquiry after cycle/road rage allegations
October 30th, 2009 at 2:00 pm by David FarrarThe Dom Post report:
Labour MP Trevor Mallard has been caught up in a police investigation into an alleged road rage incident in central Wellington.
Mr Mallard says he was forced to defend himself from a driver on Willis St who drove through a group of cyclists then hit him with a bag.
“I very nearly fell off my bike from this guy jumping out and swinging his bag at me,” he said. “I got my foot out of the [bike] pedal because I thought I was going to fall off and there was contact between my foot and his bag.”
The car’s occupants laid a complaint against Mr Mallard, but police would not give details of the complaint. They confirmed they knew of an incident but would not say if charges would be laid.
Now I know some here will automatically conclude Mallard must be in the wrong, but I would advise people not to jump to conclusions. First of all in my experience many motorists are very inconsiderate around cyclists. Secondly, the eye witnesses back up Trevor on what happened.
Mr Mallard said he had been riding with a bunch of cyclists on Wednesday morning and was on the way back to Parliament about 8.10am when a car drove through the group “and got comments from a few of them”.
A man then got out of the car and swung a bag at Mr Mallard.
When asked if he hit or grabbed the man, the MP said: “No, I defended myself against him. I didn’t touch him at all.”
When asked if the man hit him, he said: “Yes, he did hit me with his bag.”
Mr Mallard said there was shouting from both sides over the incident, and he rode off.
I would be surprised if the Police charge anyone, if the reports of what happened are accurate. I would say that most blame lies with the motorist who got out of his car, if the facts are correctly reported.
Tags: cycling, Trevor Mallard
October 30th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
“Now I know some here will automatically conclude Mallard must be in the wrong, but I would advise people not to jump to conclusions.”
I would suggest that may be a little too hopeful of you, David…
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Received this email recently:
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
If it was John Key who was involved – what kind of comments / wild accusations do you think ol Mallard would be throwing around?
The guys a nutcase.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Amazing that mad Trev didn’t knock him on his arse. Must’ve learnt his lesson there.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Also – How many times has he been questioned by the police about physical violence?
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
“First of all in my experience many motorists are very inconsiderate around cyclists.”
I don’t disagree but it’s rather annoying to me that in all of the recent talk about cyclists and motorists in the various media, very rarely is it mentioned that it’s also the cyclists that are annoying to motorists and it’s a two-way street here.
Cyclists who don’t ride in the cycle lanes and who ride two abreast on narrow and busy main roads also need to be bought to account. I also think it’s quite insane that Wgtn permits cyclists on the Hutt motorway – how stupid and dangerous is that?
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
reid (3281) Vote: 0 0 Says:
Cyclists who don’t ride in the cycle lanes and who ride two abreast also need to be bought to account.
Brought to account for what? there is no legal requirement to use a cycle lane. The law clearly permits 2 abreast riding.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
reid – agree re two way street. Most cyclists are also drivers so have an appreciation of the challenges. I ride 200-300km’s most weeks and have still had close calls with cyclists due to my ocassionally inattentive driving. re Hutt motorway – is there an alternative?
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
The driver may have been inconsiderate, granted. However, what on earth were nine cyclists doing riding in a bunch down Willis Street? That’s a very odd route for a group of cyclists to take. There’s parking on both sides of the road down much of Willis St, and scant room in between. Nonetheless, it’s a heavily used route by cars. And I assume this was during the busy morning period. The driver may have had a short leash, but my reaction were I to encounter nine cyclists while I was driving down Willis St would be “what the…?”
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
reid, I think you’ll find ample talk about cyclists being annoying to motorists. You’ll even be able to find many people claiming (or at very least implying) that cyclist A behaving like a moron gives them the right to run random cyclist B off the road at some later date.
And yes, I’ve been cyclist B in that example and have also taken cyclists A1 thru An to task on the effect they have on the averagely angry, male, late-middle-aged drivers (why it so predominantly older males?) that observe them.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Auberon, there were also nine buses, nine people crossing the road, nine morotcycles … so why sould nine bikes be noteable?
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
What I’m saying getstaffed is that from a safety point of view, for the cyclists, it’s an odd route to have chosen. It’s a very tight street. Indeed, with all those buses and people crossing the road it strikes me as a foolhardy route for cyclists to take.
One or two cyclists maybe, but nine is asking for trouble.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
“he did hit me with his bag.”
Was it a hand bag?? If so, might be a good idea to check out Cwaig Raniapa’s location at the time.
[DPF: 20 demerits.]
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Jeepers Auberon I ride down Willis St all the time (down not up), you actually have to brake not to become a menace – theres no problem ‘being traffic’ and going at the same speed as the cars on that piece of road all the way to the junction with Lambton Quay.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
it will come to nothing, this sort of thing happens all the time .. I just think it is funny and I would suggest it was always going to happen to him one day.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
What about Tana Umaga? Didn’t he clobber Sione Lauaki for being a clown after a test Dunedin??? or somewhere.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Mark, I disagree, you don’t find a balanced discussion. I’ve read or heard a dozen recent discussions, only one of those mentioned the duty of the cyclists. Your post indicates you think only cyclists are victims. Ever considered what it would be like to have someone’s injury on your conscience because that someone wasn’t being careful enough with themselves?
e.g. I live in Eastbourne. Those who know the road will know there are various blind corners in a 70kmh zone. I once came round one of those to find a cyclist with a baby in a seat on the back who was riding in the middle of the lane I was in: i.e. not on the side but in the middle. How fucking insane is that?
Of course no-one can condone vehicle aggression. The first thing I was told when I was learning to drive was that I was in charge of a lethal weapon. I’ve never forgotten that and always conduct myself accordingly. But all I’m saying is that it’s a two way street and the pendulum at the mo is a bit out of whack.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Auberon,
May I remind you that the speed limit on Willis St (and indeed all of the Wellington CBD) is 30km/hour. Cyclists are the ones being held up by motor traffic at that speed.
I rode down Willis St at 7:30am on Wednesday morning too (by myself).
As I was riding down the street (at the same speed as traffic ahead of me and well to the left) I felt pressure being applied to the back of my lower leg. To my utter astonishment a motorist had the corner of her front bumper actually touching/pushing me.
What special type of retardation does it take to not realise you are THAT close to a cyclist?
When we stopped at the Boulcott/Willis lights I calmly told her that a 20cm movement to the left by her would have had me in hospital she absolutely lost the plot. I could not be bothered with that rubbish.
I could give you a similar story for every time I have taken to the streets. I can assure you that’s a lot of stories given I ride 300+km/week.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
reid@2:31.
A balanced discussion? I didn’t say that. In this area, it’s pretty rare to find any real discussion. You can go to a cycling forum (e.g. vorb.org.nz) and find mostly cyclists complaining or can jeopardise your sanity and listen to talkback radio for motorists ranting.
Your post indicates you think only cyclists are victims
You sure you weren’t reading someone else? I said, “[I] have also taken cyclists A1 thru An to task on the effect they have…”.
I don’t for a minute think cyclists are the only victims, I think many cyclists take too little care. Both of themselves and of others on the road (particularly pedestrians).
All that said, I am heartily sick of the standard of drivers in this country. Whoever taught you to drive was spot-on. You’re in charge of a lethal weapon. In my views our laws should reflect this.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I’m just waiting for the children over at the standard to burst a few veins when they discover that the complainant is a member of the National Party’s parliamentary research unit.
If he isn’t, they’ll just make it up, like they did with their recent story about Hone Harawira being AWOL in Australia when in fact he was leading a parliamentary delegation in Europe.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Although if it were any National MP involved, Mr Mallard would be the first to scream blue murder, and although there might well be many Wellingtonians who might be tempted to take aim at Mr Mallard if he were on the road, I tend to think Mr Mallard’s recall of events is probably closer to what happened.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
jag is not exaggerating. That too is my experience.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
jag, I’ve also had rudeness from cyclists who weren’t riding in the designated cycle lane forcing me to slow to their speed till I could finally safely pass them, who reacted against my signals they should actually be using the designated lane.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I’ve had similar experiences to Mark and Jag. And I’m scrupulous about the road rules. Well, except for the bit about riding on the footpath. When you spot the ‘wheels of death’ bearing down on you, I don’t care what the law is. I’m up on the verge.
Worst recent encounter was with some hoons who pulled right up beside me so one could lean out the window and tag me.
Vote:There should be a law that mandates such drivers should be dragged up Queen St by their goolies.
October 30th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Understood jag – the car v bike situation is a cosmic giant killer, that’s for sure. Safe travels.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Perhaps the way the motorist saw it was that he got out of his car and the Trev tried to snatch his bag.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Without jumping to conclusions, as DPF has politely requested, all I can say is : Mallard the thug strikes again.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
back on 25/10, Trevor did a post “Hills are tough” where he mentions his upcoming Taupo (must be a great place) bike ride where he will race Nikki Kaye.
Vote:Maybe he should have noted my last line (26/10).
October 30th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
The weapon of choice, the bag, should be put on TradeMe and the proceeds be given to the Kiwiblog charity of choice when it is chosen.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
reid@2:47
Without knowing the specifics of the situations in which you’re experiencing rudeness, one thing to bear in mind is that many (most) of our cycle lanes stop abruptly or become unsafe for short stretches. Attempting to safely ride them is always a bit of a balancing game – if you use them, then you can often be caused to pop-out into the lane to avoid pot-holes, uncovered drains, broken bottles, opening car doors, convex footpaths at pedestrian crossings, dead possums, cycle-lane completely missing etc. This sudden swinging out into the lane is *much* more dangerous than being there in the first place.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I always do my best to give cyclists enough room, and check before opening my door. However I do question whether it is fair on motorists sometimes, especially when cyclists come up between lanes of cars stopped at traffic lights, and then everyone has to wait for the cyclists to get out of the way when the light goes green, and traffic is slowed to their speed until it is safe to pass them again (and then repeat the process at the next red light). It is the same road, we all should follow the same rules.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
A motorist can’t “drive through a group of cyclists” if those cyclists are obeying the road code – i.e. to the left, single file.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I believe Mallard is the victim of another asshole Wellington driver.
Disclaimer: By mutal aggreement I neither support nor agree with Mr Mallard.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
The bit that pisses me off about car – bicycle interactions is that the risk to each party is so different. Generally a driver risks having his or her paint scratched, while the cyclist risks hospitalisation or even death. So it isn’t surprising if a cyclist is pissed off when driver stupidity just about kills them and, when challenged, the driver things it isn’t any big deal. Or when the driver takes a position that cyclists have fewer rights than motorists, like the one earlier in this thread who seemed to be pissed off that a cyclist was in “his” lane and was holding him up.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
This is a public service note to all motorists who can’t understand why cyclists won’t ride in single file 20cm from the gutter or shoulder edge. There are a number of reasons that cyclists may choose to ride in a way where motorists have to wait and/or move right to pass:
1. The cyclist is just doing this to piss the motorist off, or [most probably] trying to avoid one or more of the following;
2. There is no shoulder, so there is no choice
3. The shoulder is unmaintained (they receive less maintenance than the traffic-bearing road sections) meaning cracks, holes, drain grates are all mortal hazzards
4. The shoulder is the motorists dumping ground for smashed bottles, disposable nappies, KFC packs, Toasters (yes true), sleeping students, dead animals, rocks, bit of timber, exploded truck tires etc
5. Being within one car-door width from parked cars when travelling at speed
6. Strong wind demands larger width margin for correcting course with each gust. Yes – I live in Wellington!
7. The shoulder shortly vanishes with a new line of parked cars or pedestrian crossing refuge, or the like.
8. I judge that the risk to my health and wellbeing is better served by not making it easy for the motorist behind me to squeeze by with mere centimeters between me, them and roadside hazards 2 thru 7.
Almost every cyclist is a driver, so we have a balanced view of the risks and irritations of the shared road use. Too few motorists are cyclists meaning they only see things through drivers eyes.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
annie – can you point me to the road code bit about single file please? I think you’ll find that it says no such thing (it’s two abreast if I recall).
mark at 3:14 – you beat be to it!
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
annie>A motorist can’t “drive through a group of cyclists” if those cyclists are obeying the road code – i.e. to the left, single file.
The official road code doesn’t agree with your unofficial one…
# You can only ride alongside another cyclist or moped. You must not ride alongside a car, truck or other motor vehicle.
# Always ride in single file if passing another vehicle.
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode/about-other-road-users/information-for-cyclists.html
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
davidp – you are right (the rules have clearly changed since I last rode a bike). Sorry. Still, the comment about ‘a bunch’ still stands, I think.
However, there are a number of interesting points in the road code:
- At intersections, you must:
* follow the rules for motor vehicles, or
* get off your cycle and walk across.
- You can only ride alongside another cyclist or moped. You must not ride alongside a car, truck or other motor vehicle.
- Always ride in single file if passing another vehicle.
- Where there is an adequate cycle path or cycle lane, cyclists should use it.
And this on hand signals (can’t remember when I last saw a cyclist in lycra give a hand signal):
Vote:- You must give a hand signal at least three seconds before stopping or turning.
- Always check to make sure your hand signals have been seen and understood.
- Look well behind you to make sure there is room for you to turn, pull out or pass safely.
October 30th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
The road code says:
Road code – About limits
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
This numnuts motorist couldn’t really have picked a worse person get aggro with.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
annie… I think the requirement for hand signals is just mad. Cyclists typically lean forward on to the handlebars. Taking one hand off a handlebar tends to create a small change in direction. Add to that the need to turn your head to look at what is happening behind you and you’re in serious danger of inducing a change of direction in to the path of a vehicle or the curb. The road rules are supposed to improve safety, not reduce it.
The requirement to use a cycle path is qualified with a necessity for it to be “adequate”. I’ve not found one that fits that description in NZ, altho bits of the path around Oriental Parade come close. Typically a path will be be a line painted on the road side with cars parked in it. Or a bit of tarseal that was last cleaned in 1932, and suffers from 77 years worth of accumulated debris. Or it will cause the cyclist to yield right of way at intersections, rather than allow them to flow with traffic.
Lastly, I don’t see what the problem is with cyclists riding in a bunch. People like doing sport and recreation in groups. It almost never delays a motorist more than a few seconds, and in Wellington CBD it is quite likely the cyclists will be traveling at the same speed as cars. Do people who turn purple with rage when they see a bunch of cyclists also suffer when they’re forced to stop for a group of school children on a pedestrian crossing?
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
“annie… I think the requirement for hand signals is just mad. Cyclists typically lean forward on to the handlebars. Taking one hand off a handlebar tends to create a small change in direction. Add to that the need to turn your head to look at what is happening behind you and you’re in serious danger of inducing a change of direction in to the path of a vehicle or the curb. The road rules are supposed to improve safety, not reduce it.”
Well whaddya know
http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/rules/q-and-a/road-user-amendment-rule-2009.html#8
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
@reid:
Cyclists are not allowed on the motorway. However, AFAIK the Hutt road is not a motorway. ICBW, but my understanding is that a motorway must have a viable alternative so that cyclists/walkers/etc can get around. There is no viable alternative to the Hutt road.
There’s a cycle lane, I think, but I’ve heard it’s very poorly maintained and a good way to get a puncture or worse. I’m sure regular cycle commutors would love the council to look after it, because they don’t enjoy being on the open road any more than you do.
@annie:
I have a few points to make, here.
Firstly, indicating while on a bike requires taking one hand off the handlebars. This is not safe to do if you are braking at the same time.
Secondly, indicating requires sticking your arm out. If you’re making a right-turn, this can involve sticking it into oncoming traffic.
So, I indicate when I can (especially if I want a car to give way to me), but often indicating properly would involve holding up traffic. Which would you prefer?
A final comment: the road code also requires you to indicate whenever you leave your lane, even partially. I remember this because when I took my driving test, I got told off by the examiner for overtaking a cyclist without indicating (he didn’t fail me, though). Do you indicate every time you pass a cyclist?
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Mallard has a track record of using violence when he is in a tense situation. Did he complete his anger management programme?? As for cyclists they are free-loaders who are using the public highway system for recreational purposes. I have been placed in the situation of either risking a head-on collision with another motorist or squeezing past cyclists who are weaving across the road. There are some roads which are narrow with no shoulder which should be banned for the use of cyclists. The alternative is for them to go to a cycleway in a park and go round and round and get their flippin exercise that way. The public highway system is not there for cyclists though if the road is safe for them, then they may share it. AND they can pay a premium ACC levy to cover their risks.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
@labrator 3:55:
The fact I know how to drive is the only reason why that baby and her idiot guardian are still alive and I don’t have their deaths on my conscience. I mentioned that incident to make the point that sometimes cyclists put themselves in danger through their own actions and if they suffer because of that, it’s not the fault of the motorist.
Repton:
Vote:Whatever it’s called, I’m talking about the patch of road between Petone and the city where the speed limit is 100 kmh and cyclists are forced to travel within a few feet of passing cars with only a paint strip between them. Car-cyclist collision at that speed = instant death. I realise people who live in the Hutt and work in the city love to cycle to work for fitness reasons and they don’t have any alternative route to take. However, if they want to do that, then they should understand that it is them who are choosing to take a life-threatening risk each and every day and personally I don’t think fitness is a good reason to do that. On that particular stretch of road, they should not be allowed. It’s built to be a car-only road and until they can be given a safe alternative, cyclists should be banned from that stretch of road, for their own protection.
October 30th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Repton is correct. Cyclists are not permitted on the motorway (which stops at Ngauranga). The road from there to Masterton and beyond is not classified as motorway. The cycle lane which exists for southbound traffic only is so poorly maintained as to be unusable, and there is no cycle lane for Northbound traffic. It is a public road and as I understand it, until an alternate designated public road runs beside it, they can’t classify it as a motorway, not even the excellent new stretch from Kororkoro through Melling. Not everything that you are legally permitted to do is wise, however. Riding on that road must surely be hazardous to your chances of living through the day.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Some roads should be designated UNSAFE for cyclists AND they can pay a premium ACC levy for their pursuit. At least that will cover some of the costs of their dangerous obsession. The public highway system is not there for cyclists, though they may share it if it is safe to do so.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Another missed opportunity, the driver should have run the prick over, we would all be better off.
Vote:Mallard is a wanker, and when he he finally gets some shit dished on him he squeals like the little bitch that he is, man up Trev, it will be a whole new experience.
October 30th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Yes scanner. He’s just a Tinkerballs.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
@reid:
I don’t live in the Hutt, but I have biked out there a couple of times. The only times I actually felt worried were right at the start (when there is no verge) and when I wanted to cross the Petone turnoff. Apart from that, I recall there being quite a lot of room — less nervewracking than some times in town.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
How about you manning up and not being a vindictive anonymous coward.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
[DPF: 20 demerits.]
Good gawd, what’s happened to your sense of humour???
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
If there had been a rock fall in the middle of the road around the corner and you’d crashed into it, whose fault would that have been?
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Contest. 44 tonne truck and trailer vs cyclist. No contest as our previous traffic chief found out belatedly. Wasn’t able to do anything about it either. Can’t from a pine box.
Personally I consider it madness for cyclists to think that they are can even begin to think they are safe in either high speed zones orcongested areas. Its just plain dumb.
Vote:October 30th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Hey Viking personally I think its madness for truck drivers to run over superintendants – or anyone, but thats just me.
Vote:And it can’t be much fun for the driver living (in a jail cell albeit for some time) with knowing that through your actions you’ve killed a man, father, husband etc.
October 31st, 2009 at 7:37 am
I was standing on the street when this incident happened between the group of cyclists and a dark grey late model holden driven by a lady. I am reasonably sure that Mr Mallard is been very economical with the truth with a large part of his statement. The car was stopped in Willis street close to outside outside the New World Metro for a while whilst the passenger got out of the car and waited to cross the road which is what I was doing.
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 8:27 am
RedSpurtAlert – calling out to the not so clever Trevor!
Vote:Do you have a man bag, you lickspittle 100 demerit type person?
October 31st, 2009 at 8:46 am
I rode my bike all over California, from Los Angeles to San Diego, through Death Valley, up in the wine country of Northern California and never have I come upon an incident with drivers. Here, I almost got ran over twice and some kids in a car drove by and harpooned me in the leg. I stopped riding. It isn’t safe in New Zealand. I like the idea of that cycleway going the length of New Zealand. It’ll save lives.
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 8:59 am
dad4justice (5434) 0 1 Says:
October 31st, 2009 at 8:27 am
RedSpurtAlert – calling out to the not so clever Trevor!
Do you have a man bag, you lickspittle 100 demerit type person?
Who has the conviction for child abuse?
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 9:03 am
The public highway system is not there for cyclists, though they may share it if it is safe to do so.
Actually, it is – Bicycles are road legal vehicles, so can use any highway unless expressly prohibited. They must obey all traffic rules, just like any other vehicle.
However, there is a legal requirement to use a cycle lane – but it must be adequate. As there is no adequate cycle lane from Petone to Ngauranga all cyclists use the shoulder. Have a look at the debris (most of it thrown from cars) and mud in the cycle lane and tell me it’s adequate. Even if it was cleaned up it is still very pot holed and uneven, so road bikes can’t use it. It’s actually inside the Wellington boundary, so the WCC should maintain it.
BTW Reid, there is a legal requirement to drive at a speed so you can stop in the distance you can see (or half the distance you can see if the road doesn’t have lane markings.) So if you come round a blind corner and see a cyclist and take emergency action to avoid collision, then it’s your fault as you were speeding. Like I said, bicycles are road legal vehicles. Don’t like it, write to your MP and ask for a law change. (Who would be … Trevor Mallard!)
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 9:08 am
I bet your right Terry J. These sort of things usually start with a slight from one party to the other followed by outrage on both sides, verbal abuse, pushing, shoving. One side is pissed enough to make a complaint, and waste police time when a bit of civility to start with could avoid it all. I imagine Mallard having little self restraint and letting loose with ‘advice’.
There should be a law allowing the cops to come along and bang both sides heads together and send them on their way.
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 9:35 am
Look nostromo, there was no pushing and shoving just some cyclists rode past at speed and the guy standing on the side of the road about 4 metres from me. The cyclists did not even stop. I would not say that the passenger from the car was standing in a threating manner. Let’s not forget the statement is ‘Mr Mallard says he was forced to defend himself from a driver on Willis St who drove through a group of cyclists then hit him with a bag’.
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 9:38 am
Trevor Mallard is a one man sideshow, I mean honestly – you couldnt get better entertainment than this, he seems to be at the centre of every controversy going, if he’s not punching someone, lying about someone, antagonising moteliers, having tantrums in the house or running a fake poll company he’s involving himself in road rage incidents.
seriously this man is an idiot, he couldnt stay away from controversy to save himself – and the longer he stays as an MP for labour the better – IMO he represents everything that has turned the voters off them
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 11:24 am
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2009/oct/20/crap-cycle-lanes
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 11:30 am
Trev didn’t report to the police what happened. Based on his version of events the motorist was actually driving quite dangerously and should have been reported. Yet Trev didn’t. Why not?
The motorist however has made a compliant with the police, about Trev.
Hmmmm….
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 12:42 pm
So just back from a drive out of Eastbourne and back and kept a count of good considerate vs wanker arrogant cyclists: seven vs two.
Of the seven good considerate cyclists, two did hold up traffic going south along Lowry Bay but no worries cause they had no choice, they were in single file and as far left as they could possibly be without riding along the footpath. No worries, and good on all you seven.
Of the two wanker cyclists, they were a pair. Riding north just before you come out of Eastbourne township, wide road, lots of room on the left, but the arrogant wankers insisted on riding two abreast and even though if they’d kept left they could have still been two abreast AND let traffic pass, the wankers chose to ride outside the parking lane, which was empty, and along the road, where the right hand one was in the middle of the CAR lane. Wankers. I might add that for some reason, the wanker demographic seems to entirely comprised of males between 20-45. Wankers, wankers, wankers.
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I believe we should share the road with cyclists. I am always very careful around them and would hate to knock a cyclist off his/her bike. What gets my goat is the behaviour of some cyclists at red lights. They are meant to stop. This morning I was driving along Jervois Quay and the same cyclist (in lycra) rode through two sets of red traffic lights. A cycle is classed a vehicle for the purposes of the road code. Another thing is when cyclists undertake. If you are waiting at a stop or give way sign and this happens, you risk hitting the cyclists when turning. Also cyclists who ride at night with no reflectors are a menace.
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 1:07 pm
reid, Even at two abreast the cyclists occupied half the road width of your car. If you were the only passenger in your car then you occupied four times the road width per person than did the cyclists. Just making the point…
But fair enough about expecting them to move over. The only time I’ll ride like they did is if there are intermittently parked cars, because weaving in and out of a line of direction is very much less safe for me and actually less safe for divers who, when judging passing distances, need a high level of predictability of the cyclist’s movement. I say this as a driver – I hate having cyclists weaving all over the show. Plain dangerous.
btw, I fit your wanker demographic
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Tui, yes – completely agree re Red lights. I ride thru the city, and too many of my lycra-clad contemporaries scoot thru red lights. I’ve seen one chap being ticketed. Good. Also observed the constabulary checking cycle lights around Oriental Bay at dusk, and (I think) ticketing those without appropriate lights. Also good.
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 5:01 pm
“Who has the conviction for child abuse?”
What it is with depraved bloggers of the bb variety who make false allegations at will? For the record bb, it must be Trevor, because it’s certainly not me and if you continue with the cowardly smear I will have no alternative to take the matter further. I have never been convicted of assault of a child or child abuse you lefty snake. I must not get angry, ha-ha, as big blouse will come in on the attack with his hateful issues. I hope we each understand other bb? Would you call a man a child abuser face to face? Would a judge convict a man for retaliation if he can prove the statement is a nothing more than a sick attempt at a public slanderous character assaination?
Vote:October 31st, 2009 at 5:02 pm
As with everything else, it seems a small minority are spoiling things for everyone else. As a driver, my perception is that all the cyclists I see are suicidal maniacs suffering doubly from the belief that they look good in lycra. Is this because cyclists who are considerate and obey the road rules don’t impede traffic and go un-noticed?.
And as for the assertion that it is dangerous to signal drivers of cyclist intent, I see many who take immense pride in the fact that they can ride without holding the bars at all, only lunging forward for them as they wobble into the path of a following vehicle.
Vote:November 1st, 2009 at 4:45 pm
@reid. I’m sure you’re right about the wanker demographic. It’s certainly the case for drivers. As a cyclist, I class drivers into 4 groups.
1. Wankers – mostly males aged 30-50 who think bikes on the road is an affront to their god-given right to drive and it’s there duty to use their car as a weapon (sadly I’m not kidding here).
2. Breathers. Driving is like breathing to these people, they do it and never think about it. Me, I see someone getting into a car up ahead, I think, “mmmm maybe that car’s about to pull out”. Breathers (mostly women 20-50 it seems), keep on talking and then say, “oooh shit, where did that car come from?”. These people indicate their turns because it’s the law, generally doing so at the same time as they start actually making the turn, negating any positive effect of the signal.
3. Hoons. ’nuff said.
4. Others. The 75% of the population who only pose me a threat because the car/bike relationship is so one-sided, that any moment of inattention on either of our parts is worse news me for me then them.
Actually wankers has a sub-group called “truckies”. A not insignificant number of these types treat it as a game to get as close to a cyclist as possible without actually hitting them.
Vote:November 1st, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Leonidas
Vote:You’re quite right. As a cyclist I’m constantly pissed off at dangerous cyclists queering the pitch for the rest of us. That said, I’m much more pissed off by the drivers who vent their frustration at such imbeciles by deliberately endangering me. If I had the same attitude, I’d feel justified in keying every car in Wellington (actually for strict proportionality, I’d probably take a baseball bat to 50% of the drivers).