On the road to sharing

A campaign to encourage drivers and cyclists to respect each other's road rights has been launched by the Christchurch City Council.

The council's annual Share the Road campaign comes just days after tension between some cyclists and motorists surfaced in the media.

Both groups could share the road safely through courtesy and consideration, council asset and network planning manager Terry Howes said.

"Bicycles are vehicles and they have every right to be on the road," he said.

"We are asking drivers to consider good driving practice ... At the same time, cyclists also have an obligation to obey the road rules."

A cyclist allegedly strangled last week by an irate car passenger welcomed the campaign.

Rik Unthank, editor of a sporting website embroiled in a recent war of words with motorists, said any promotion encouraging co-operation was "great news".

The campaign coincides with police-enforcement campaigns.

A new cyclists' booklet has also been released by the council. The 2010 Christchurch City Cycle Guide is available at the council's civic centre, service centres and most bike shops or can be downloaded from the council website.