All Access. All in one subscription. From $2 per week
Subscribe now

All Access Weekly

From $2 per week
Pay just
$15.75
$2
per week ongoing
Subscribe now
BEST VALUE

All Access Annual

Pay just
$449
$49
per year ongoing
Subscribe now
Learn more
30
NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • Deloitte Fast 50
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

Rotorua cyclist abused, pushed by motorist speaks of constant close calls

Katee Shanks
By Katee Shanks
Multimedia journalist·Rotorua Daily Post·
4 Jan, 2018 06:15 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save
    Share this article
Dangers of cycling in Rotorua
Ian Guy talks about a recent close call while on his bike. ...
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • subtitles settings, opens subtitles settings dialog
    • subtitles off, selected

      This is a modal window.

      Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.

      Text
      Text Background
      Caption Area Background
      Font Size
      Text Edge Style
      Font Family

      End of dialog window.

      This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.

      Sam Ruthe breaks NZ records in LA

      UP NEXT:

      Autoplay in
      3
      Disable Autoplay
      Cancel Video
      Ian Guy talks about a recent close call while on his bike.
      NOW PLAYING • Dangers of cycling in Rotorua
      Ian Guy talks about a recent close call while on his bike. ...

      A Rotorua cyclist subjected to a motorist's tirade of abuse before being pushed to the ground says he has a close call every time he's out on his bike.

      And that's prompted a call from the Rotorua Cycle Action Group for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to respect public space.

      Ian Guy and a friend were out for a ride about 2pm on New Year's Eve when a yet-to-be-identified driver took exception to sharing the road with the pair.

      "Bizarrely we had just left the police station after finding some keys," Guy said.

      "We had cycled single-file up Fenton St, and were making our way toward Whakaue St."

      All Access. All in one subscription. From $2 per week
      Subscribe now

      All Access Weekly

      From $2 per week
      Pay just
      $15.75
      $2
      per week ongoing
      Subscribe now
      BEST VALUE

      All Access Annual

      Pay just
      $449
      $49
      per year ongoing
      Subscribe now
      Learn more
      30
      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.
      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      He said there was quite a lot of traffic around and both he and his friend were cycling conservatively.

      "As we approached the Whakaue St intersection I could see a white car in the corner of my eye. I indicated left to turn into Whakaue St and, when I looked over my shoulder, I saw my friend practically being crushed by this white car."

      Guy said the car forced his friend on to the kerb then made a beeline toward him.

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      "This was where the road is perhaps only 2.5-3m wide and where there's not really enough room for a car to pass a bike. However, this guy mounted the reservation in the middle of the road and went past me in an uncomfortably close manner."

      Guy said he banged the roof of the car as it went past, to let the driver know how close he was.

      "The driver stopped, got out of his car and hurled abuse at me, as did a young woman who was sitting in the back seat of the car. When he had finished he pushed me and my bike over before getting back in his car and driving off."

      Security staff on the perimeter of the Glo Festival saw the incident unfold and called police.

      A spokesperson from Police District Command Centre confirmed an investigation into the incident was ongoing.

      This is not the first time Guy has had a near-miss with a car, it's actually the fourth.

      "I can say three of the four were not my fault although I'll admit the fourth was possibly 50/50.

      "Drivers need to realise we do not head out for a cycle and think to intentionally hold up traffic. Sometimes, and in certain places, we do tend to go a bit wide but it is when there isn't enough room for a car to pass a bike and it's for our own safety."

      He said two of the biggest frustrations for cyclists were cars swinging into shoulders when taking a bend and left-hand turns.

      "I honestly think every time I go out for a ride there is a close call of some kind involving a motorist."

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      Harm Zuidmeer of the Rotorua Cycle Action Group said motorists, cyclists and pedestrians all needed to respect public space.

      "Public space means just that – space for the public. No one has preference over another.

      "But unfortunately it is the norm for cyclists not to be seen at intersections just like it is the norm for cyclists being passed too closely by cars."

      He said most cyclists dealt with road incidents on a fairly regular basis and most just shrugged them off and kept pedalling.

      Zuidmeer said he had to "eject himself from his bike and jump up on to the kerb" only weeks ago after a bus passed him at an uncomfortably close distance.

      "I stopped the bus and the bus driver admitted he had seen me."

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      He believes anyone who cycles has cyclists on their radar when driving but people who don't cycle are less aware of them on the road.

      "At a guess I'd estimate the percentage of cyclists in Rotorua to be between 30 and 40 per cent so that's a decent awareness. It would just be great if the remaining people looked for bikes sharing public spaces as cycling is not only good for your health, it's good for the environment."

      Save
        Share this article

      Latest from New Zealand

      New Zealand

      World Press Photo Exhibition highlights power of photojournalism

      New Zealand

      'Blood-curdling': Daughter sees pool champ 'brutally' attacked in pub brawl

      New Zealand

      'P for positive': Former public servant running for Gisborne councillor role


      Sponsored

      Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

      Advertisement
      Advertise with NZME.

      Recommended for you

      World Press Photo Exhibition highlights power of photojournalism
      New Zealand

      World Press Photo Exhibition highlights power of photojournalism

      'Blood-curdling': Daughter sees pool champ 'brutally' attacked in pub brawl
      New Zealand

      'Blood-curdling': Daughter sees pool champ 'brutally' attacked in pub brawl

      Why Verona's open-air opera is a must-experience event
      Travel

      Why Verona's open-air opera is a must-experience event

      'Stressful' night for family separated by cordon during drug raid
      Bay of Plenty Times

      'Stressful' night for family separated by cordon during drug raid

      New UK social media laws come into force today, blocking children under 13
      World

      New UK social media laws come into force today, blocking children under 13

      Scorned husband imprisoned after $2m blackmail attempt of wife's lover
      Crime

      Scorned husband imprisoned after $2m blackmail attempt of wife's lover



      Latest from New Zealand

      World Press Photo Exhibition highlights power of photojournalism
      New Zealand

      World Press Photo Exhibition highlights power of photojournalism

      The World Press Photo Exhibition opens in Auckland this weekend.

      25 Jul 07:06 AM
      'Blood-curdling': Daughter sees pool champ 'brutally' attacked in pub brawl
      New Zealand

      'Blood-curdling': Daughter sees pool champ 'brutally' attacked in pub brawl

      25 Jul 07:00 AM
      'P for positive': Former public servant running for Gisborne councillor role
      New Zealand

      'P for positive': Former public servant running for Gisborne councillor role

      25 Jul 06:59 AM


      Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
      Sponsored

      Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

      06 Jul 09:47 PM

      NZ Herald
      • About NZ Herald
      • Meet the journalists
      • Newsletters
      • Classifieds
      • Help & support
      • Contact us
      • House rules
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of use
      • Competition terms & conditions
      • Our use of AI
      Subscriber Services
      • NZ Herald e-editions
      • Daily puzzles & quizzes
      • Manage your digital subscription
      • Manage your print subscription
      • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
      • Subscribe to Herald Premium
      • Gift a subscription
      • Subscriber FAQs
      • Subscription terms & conditions
      • Promotions and subscriber benefits
      NZME Network
      • The New Zealand Herald
      • The Northland Age
      • The Northern Advocate
      • Waikato Herald
      • Bay of Plenty Times
      • Rotorua Daily Post
      • Hawke's Bay Today
      • Whanganui Chronicle
      • Viva
      • NZ Listener
      • Newstalk ZB
      • BusinessDesk
      • OneRoof
      • Driven Car Guide
      • iHeart Radio
      • Restaurant Hub
      NZME
      • About NZME
      • NZME careers
      • Advertise with NZME
      • Digital self-service advertising
      • Book your classified ad
      • Photo sales
      • NZME Events
      • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
      All Access. All in one subscription. From $2 per week
      Subscribe now

      All Access Weekly

      From $2 per week
      Pay just
      $15.75
      $2
      per week ongoing
      Subscribe now
      BEST VALUE

      All Access Annual

      Pay just
      $449
      $49
      per year ongoing
      Subscribe now
      Learn more
      30
      TOP
      search by queryly Advanced Search