This kind of crap needs to stop.

I am a hand-signalling (unless it is actually UNSAFE to do so), red light obeying, pedestrian crossing respecting, careful cyclist, and I am sick of being abused and harrassed by motorists who treat me with no respect, and who put my LIFE and the lives of others in danger. I am sick of un-needed horns blaring, and fingers thrust in the air, of cars pulling out in front of me and expecting me to slam my brakes and of pedestrians meandering out in front of me (away from crossings).

Is this REALLY the right time for more anti-cyclist invective? Is it really necessary to bash us when Toyota utes, drunk drivers and idiots who can't stop at STOP SIGNS are killing us??

You appear to be saying that despite being aware that a cyclist was approaching fast from behind, you still opened your car door. Surely not? Personally I would have waited until the cyclist had gone past.

Dave, it sounds like the cyclists you encountered were some of the morons who give the rest of us a bad name. The first shouldn't have been ducking in between the parked cars - that's a recipe for being hit from behind when you pull out to pass a parked car. He also should have been wearing the helmet. And the other should have stayed off the phone while cycling.

But have a think about the car door question - most cycle lanes are positioned so that an open car door will take up the entire lane & either cause the cyclist to stop or veer into the main flow of traffic. If using a road without a marked cycle lane, there certainly isn't enough room for a cyclist to give a 1.5m berth to parked cars. I certainly would have yelled invectives at you had you cracked your door as I was passing - it's incredibly scary to have a driver do that to you. Next time, keep the door shut till the cyclist is past.

And for the record, I use hand signals, as do 75% of the cyclists I encounter on my way to/from work every day. I even use the "stop" signal for when I'm braking, which apparently only bus drivers now know. And I'll continue to indicate left when leaving a roundabout, because that's just common courtesy to other road users.

Slow week Davo? struggling to come up with insightful commentary on something worthwhile? Lets just restoke the cyclist vs car debate. Yawn.

If cyclists gave parked cars 1.5 metres that would just about put them into the middle of the lane, but then that would give you something else to moan about next week.

Some cyclists are tards as are some drivers,but I suppose its easier to ignore this fact tar all cyclists with the same brush and write an incendiary blog without that way.

Dave, I thought you were a motoring writer. As such you should stick to writing about motor cars. Your tirades against cyclist (who are often also motorists) are ill informed and do nothing to ensure courtesy and tolerance on the road.

When riding my bicycle I would be happy to ride 1.5 metres clear of parked cars but few motorists would tolerate that. I follow the Road Code and keep as far to the left as possible. That may lead to frights if inconsiderate people open car doors unexpectedly. It took three months for the deep wound on my son’s leg to heal after someone like you opened their door without looking.

You are at fault in opening your car door without looking regardless of what, or who may run into it.

The new laws (and penalties) apply to all road users. Since the enactment of the law I have seen a number of motorists using a hand-held phone while driving. No cyclists.

Motorists sharing your sentiments will berate cyclists as law breakers yet happily exceed the speed limits (you are all good drivers after all) park on the footpath, force your way through pedestrians crossing with the lights and at traffic lights - orange means speed up doesn’t it?

I expect the last time you saw a cyclist using hand signals was after you opened your door, just a crack because you thought that unfortunate cyclist wasn’t far enough out in the road.

Dave - really, yyyaaaawwwwwwwnnnn.

Newsflash. Some car drivers break some of the laws some of the time. Some truck drivers break some of the laws some of the time. Some motorcyclists break some of the laws some of the time. Some pedestrians break some of the laws some of the time. Some cyclists break some of the laws some of the time.

Oooh. Guantlet of cyclists. Must be scary being in a car coming up to a cyclist, and wondering if they will scratch your paint, when you run over them.

As Hans_Blix #4 commented. If we were 1.5 metres into the road, then you would whine about that, next week.

Maybe you haven't read about the MP competing in the Lake Taupo ride, who is now out because she broke her ankle after veering to avoid a car that moved in on her, causing her to fall off her bike.

I almost ran over a cyclist last night. I saw them ride up beside me at the lights (two lanes one for straight and left turn and one right turn only) she was in the right lane so I didn't pay any attention especially as the guy behind me was really angry I didn't turn the corner when the arrow was on despite the fact I wasn't indicating to turn so he should have known that, so the light turned green and I punched it and the blasted cyclist then veered right in front of my front bumper without any signal to get across to the side of the road. At least she was wearing a helmet but honestly temporary citizen anyone? I think the biggest problem is the Cyclists only obey the road rules occasionally and much less so than motorists and thats what really annoys us.

Dave,

Once upon a time I enjoyed reading your motoring articles and thought you were a pretty decent writer. However my opinion changes for the worse every time I read your latest tirade against your pet hate, cyclists. So, as you can imagine, that opinion is pretty low by now.

Tell you what Dave. When next February rolls around, get yourself a bike (plus all the related safety gear) and spend 4 weeks biking to work for Bikewise month. It may just give you a new appreciation of what cyclists go through on our roads.

You might also spot some of us good cyclists (the ones who follow the road rules) who you clearly pay little attention to.