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Glenn Becker - Source: ONE News -
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The man charged over the death of a cyclist on Auckland's Tamaki Drive has appeared again in court.
Glenn Hilton Becker pleaded not guilty in Auckland District Court this morning to careless use of a motor vehicle causing death.
Police say cyclist Jane Mary Bishop, 27, died when she dodged the door of a car parked on the corner near Kelly Tarlton's on Tamaki Drive in November, 2010.
The British nurse avoided the car door but was hit by a truck travelling in the same direction.
She had been in New Zealand on a working holiday and had bought the bike in an effort to get fit for her best friend's wedding in May in the UK, where she was going to be a bridesmaid.
Becker entered a not guilty plea at his previous court appearance in May.
He left court today flanked by five family and friends and refused to comment to media.
A three-day defended hearing has now been set down for January 31.
Spate of cycling deaths
Bishop's death occurred during a spate of cycling deaths across New Zealand. In the week around her accident, five cyclists died.
Police later urged motorists to double check for cyclists when opening car doors or pulling out of parking spaces, especially on Tamaki Drive.
The week before Bishop's death Wilhelm Muller, 71, and Mark Ferguson, 46, died near Morrinsville and Patricia Anne Veronica Fraser, 34, died near Palmerston North. A third person involved in the accident, Kay Heather Wolfe, 45, died in hospital several days later.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce indicated he would look into the deaths to see if changes in road user regulations could prevent further deaths and Chief Coroner Neil MacLean said he planned to hold an inquest grouping together a number of cycling deaths to see what changes were necessary.
Auckland regional transport officials regard Tamaki Drive as a black-spot for cyclists, with one stretch alone being subject to 24 cycling crashes between 2008 and 2009.
The former Auckland City Council had set aside more than $400,000 to improve safety on the city's scenic routes, including extending on-road cycle lanes and improving warning signs.
- with Fairfax
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