mojo #56 Well said. I have also been contacted today by friends in Brisbane planning a cycling holiday in NZ. Plans are now on hold. They can't believe the attitude of Richard Freeman and other posters who are so anti-cyclists.

NZ tourism now has some catch-up work to do - both with our image in other countries and with our driving attitudes.

Wow, this kind of rhetoric is pretty ugly - tounge-in-cheek or not. We don't always have usable bike lanes so have to share sometimes. So what if a cyclist slows you down for a few seconds - it's not the end of the world. Richard's comments are, quite frankly, embarrassing. I was sent the link to this story from a friend in the US and it made me cringe to my core. Put some perspective around this people before our international reputation as being a safe and laid back tourist destination is damanged any further.

pete #52 We could look at all those rules for cyclists, but perhaps we could first start with enforcing some ones for car users. Like - no burnouts, no speeding, no drink-driving, no dangerous actions...

And if cyclists are to pay road user charges, they should be in proportion to the ongoing damage to the road that the cycles cause. That would equate to $0.03 per year.

@ Michelle #42

Michelle while the hostile tone? While you claimed to be a cyclist, you possible don't cycle often enough. The amount of debris (glass, nails, etc,) increases the further left you cycle, which includes the cycleways. Maybe more motorist should spend some time in the saddle. It is good for your health, economy and our environment. Therefore there will be far less aggressive and overweight people about.

I have cycled to and from work every day (rain, hail, sh!t or snow) for many years and for the most part motorist have courteous. There is always the odd d!ck head, but I have learned to be on the look out and try to anticipate the dumb moves a motorist may make. My worst encounters have been with bus drivers, young drivers and mums with young children in their vehicle. This does mean mean everyone fitting into these categories are idiots, but just that my bad encounters have been with people in these categories.

As for Mr Freeman. I think his choice of vehicle basically sums up his personality. Hurt him where it hurts him most. In his back pocket. He obviously thinks he is important. Boycott his businesses.

We have some acquaintances that were at a dinner part with Mr Freeman. They said he was rude, abrasive and treated everyone like dirt. He obviously does not need people around him, so boycott him and everything he stands for or owns.

There ARE times where I have been annoyed with the behavious of a cyclist.....but more times I have been annoyed with the arrogance of a 4WD driver. Mr Freeman shows a total lack of judgement that is demonstrated well by the type of people that drive huge monstrosities not meant for the sort of roads we have in New Zealand. Arrogant does not even start to cover it. Even though I am not a cyclist, wish I could be but cancer surgery prevents me, my children MAY one day be there. This lack of concern for the lives and well being of others means I for one will boycott his business - although have never had a good meal there yet.....so will not miss it. The lack of judgement and care for fellow citizens cries out for this boycott to not only come from Cyclist but anyone who cares about this city that is known for cycling.

Cyclists should be restricted to riding single file, have a mirror so they can see what is behind them and the cycle should be registered so they pay their fair share of road mainenance and ACC levies

While it is leagal to ride two abreast, it is also ILLEGAL to deliberately impede the flow of traffic.

A cyclist can only ride two abreast when all other road rules are being complied to.

The Huttinator #45 Good points. It is interesting that professional truck drivers are often very good at providing room for cyclists. However, many amateur car drivers seem to need much more road, become volotile and aggressive, and seem to think they have more road rights than other users.

Cyclists generally are rude, discourteous and arrogant, as shown by the majority of the comments on this article. As Hone #9 so accurately points out, sharing the road goes both ways.

And just as an aside, lmao at all the cyclists vowing to boycott his restaurant - he'll be flooded with business from anti-cycling motorists, more than you prissy little twats could ever take away from him. Which is something you could all pay to take heed of. The cycling fraternity has a long way to go to becoming not only liked but even given more tolerance from the rest of the road-using community.

Drivers complaining of cyclists? Given our current level of driving incompetence, boy-racer nonsense and high road toll, perhaps car usage should be limited to those who truely can drive safely and with common courtesy. Then have a whinge about those terrible, dangerous, obnoxious few who put their own lives at risk on bikes. But leave the rest of the lycra brigade alone please.