I live near a multi-lane major Auckland road. Footpath access is restricted because of road works, but there is a designated bike lane well away from busy traffic.
However, it seems some local cyclists think the signposted bike lane is too genteel for them. Instead they insist on tearing down the road dodging morning rush hour traffic.
A cyclist one morning this week was hitting speeds of nearly 60km/h as he weaved down the two lanes into the city, narrowly avoiding a truck changing lanes so it could get on the motorway onramp.
Mr No Cycle Lane then rode in the middle of the lane with the truck and trailer stuck behind him, instead of moving across to the lane he needed to be on to commute into the city.
Stopped at traffic lights, Mr Tour de France Wannabe was still sitting in the wrong lane. He ignored the red light and decided the green for turning traffic was good enough for him.
Unfortunately he isn’t the only madman on a bike who tears down the road, zigzagging between morning commuters.
I truly fear for their lives as they narrowly avoid lane-splitting motorcyclists, the frequent trucks and the stop-start car drivers.
I also fear they need their eyes tested because to the right of them is a clearly marked cycle path that the Auckland council spent a fortune building.
That smooth path would give them a safe journey into the city without endangering their lives.
I know some cyclists refuse to use Tamaki Drive’s bike path because of pedestrians, but my local area for them is wide enough for two bikes to go side-by-side and is hardly used by walkers.