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Source: ONE News -
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A battered cyclist is staging his own one-man crackdown on bad driving, vowing he will see motorists in court if they cut him off.
Each year at least 800 cyclists are injured on New Zealand's roads in accidents caused mostly by another driver.
The statistics led cyclist Ian Wilde to attach cameras to his bike to catch bad drivers in the act.
"People are trying to intimidate you off the road," Wilde said. "They don't want you there and they're making it quite plain."
Using a laser pointer aimed at a car's tyres or bodywork, Wilde said he could accurately gauge when a driver passes closer than 50cms - a gap he considered potentially lethal.
See some of Ian Wilde's videos here
Wilde said he was driven to his video vigil long before he was knocked off his bike, smashing his collarbone and four ribs.
Over three months, he laid about 60 complaints with police, all backed up with video.
"[The police] basically said to me, 'unless they actually hit you we're not going to do anything about it'," Wilde said.
However in one case, where Wilde alleged an elderly motorist actually hit him, police laid careless driving charges.
Approximately 750,000 New Zealanders ride a bike at least once a month and more than 140,000 of them do it nearly every day.
While police could not say how many drivers had been prosecuted for offending against cyclists, National Road Policing Manager, Police Superintendent Paula Rose said every situation was taken on its own merits.
"I just urge people who are using the road, if you've got a cyclist out there, give them some space, and if you're a cyclist, use the space you need but use it wisely and well."
What kind of experiences have you had with motorists or cyclists on our roads? Comment below
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentvizzbucks said on 2010-11-01 @ 02:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
I used to ride a cycle, and then a motorcycle, and totally understand where ian is coming from. Some car drivers have no consideration for cycles, or motorcycles. I have lost count of the number of times i have had to swerve or stop because of car drivers, but luckily i have not yet fallen off due to this, but i know people who have, including Ian Wilde (who is my cousin). Good on you Ian, for making a stand on this issue, your family here in the UK is proud of what you are doing!!!
L I said on 2010-08-30 @ 11:11 NZDT: Report abusive post
I cycle from time to time, yet I also have a car and pay for the roads via this way along with my taxes. Is Vania saying that cyclists are not entitled to use the road because they don't pay registrations? Bikes provide far less impact on roads than cars surely? Some people opt to walk as a mode of transport, are they not entitled to safety on our roads because they don't pay for registrations?
descrisp said on 2010-08-19 @ 22:08 NZDT: Report abusive post
If you lot all drove electric cars (and obeyed all the road rules yourselves) we'd all get on just fine.
Madax said on 2010-08-19 @ 08:07 NZDT: Report abusive post
A couple of years ago I moved to Auckland, after about 3 months of riding my bike to work and getting cut off by extended buses and drivers with what seemed a murderous attitude I gave up and now stick to using my car. Auckland is the city of cars and the city's planning reflects this.
Squeezi said on 2010-08-19 @ 07:58 NZDT: Report abusive post
I am a recreational cyclist using mostly country roads. I find that motorists towing caravans are my biggest problem. They tend to forget that the caravan is wider than the car.