Sad ending for overseas cyclist on NZ cycling trip

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10619341

If you want to do a road trip down in NZ or here in Australia...Please take care :(

geez, CC, how sad.

that's so very tragic... :( I had no idea roads were so dangerous in NZ for cyclists. She just wanted to see the beautiful country at 10 kph, she wasn't doing anything wrong. So sad for her family... :(

When we lived in Auckland, we started biking to work..little did we know how hairy the short journeys would be!!! :eek: I'd rather be off road battling log overs

Ask MillieNZ about DRIVING on Auckland roads...UGH...:eek: :rolleyes: (luckily for her she's taken up mtn biking :D)

When we were in NZ Christmas 08, we went mtn biking in the Hunuas- a well known place...The road leading to it is a typical windy, narrow & crazy NZ road...We passed MNZ & her dear riding..I would be petrified riding through it as there's very little space to pass etc etc...


Just another article about overseas visitors & NZ roads...http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10619567

An Australian example...I'd love to bike from Kalgoorlie accross to Adelaide but a few things would stop me : The road trains & the fear of being sucked into their wind, the sweeper police vehicles that zip quickly along to clear the roads of any traffic when a piece of mining equipment is being towed (can't explain this one without you being on the road to see it & understand :eek:-even in a car you have to pull right off the road & hope not to get stuck...)...

So glad mtn biking is a choice for us but i know it's not for many..:(

My partner had the opposite experience when he cycle toured solo in NZ for 6 months. This was 8 yrs. ago. He found the drivers courteous. Yes, roads can be narrow.

But then, he had a B.O.B. trailer in tow, which forces cars to be more patient? :confused:

Media started to call NZ roads the 'Killing Fields' :(:(:(

i think it's a no win siutation here, Nz roads were never designed for the volume of traffic now on them, coupled with "I've got to be ahead of everyone regardless of speed limits, lights etc' road rage attudue of car drivers along irresponsible large cycling groups (very similar to Denise' post on cycling topics) is leading to confronation and anger between all road users....

BUT on the plus side is that there is plans in place to build a cycle route from the top of the north island to the bottom of the south island :) :) Mostly off road as I understand it....... so maybe that will encourage vistors to come and cycle the country and see the spectacular sights of NZ :) Building of the route has already started in the Waikato and of course the Otago rail track is one of the most popular tourist attractions for visitors (I'm cycling it in Febrauay !!! YAY)