Road Rage Update
There are two words that I would use to describe the past two days… Surreal and Grateful.
No doubt, most readers have heard about our recent road rage incident in Wellington, NZ, in which Russ was tackled to the ground by an angry driver and punched. It was shocking and bizarre and we are still trying to wrap our heads around what happened and what it means. Yesterday, we spent some time talking with reporters from the NZ Herald and the Dominion Post, and today we woke to two great articles from each newspaper about the incident. In response, we have received an absolutely incredible outpouring of support from Kiwis around the world, eager for us to know that this incident is not representative of the NZ that they love and live in.
Far from making us angry or bitter or scaring us off of our bikes, the whole event has made us very thankful and hopeful. Whatever else happens, we hope that the incident has sparked a conversation about cycling and road culture in NZ, and that it will lead to some positive change for cyclists.
Russ has been trying to focus on writing a post or piecing together a video about the incident, and we hope to share that soon. We know you’ll understand that it’s been a complicated experience for him to process.
Many thanks to our readers, old and new, for your support! We are okay and trying to turn this lemon into some sweet lemonade.
(Keep our adventures going and the site growing! If you’ve enjoyed our stories, videos and photos over the years, consider buying our ebook Panniers and Peanut Butter, or our new 2012 calendar or some of the fun zombie apocalypse shirts we’re designing.)
I have lived a new Zealand for a few year. This kind of behaviour is a common occurrence. This is the worse country in the world to cycle in (I have cycled in 6 or 7 countries)
An Arrest!
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6261261/Arrest-over-road-rage-attack-on-cyclist
Police have arrested a man over an alleged road rage attack on an American cyclist in Wellington.
A 39-year-old man, who was driving a rental car at the time of the incident, was charged with assault tonight, Inspector Paris Razos said.
The man accused of the attack will appear in Wellington District Court on Wednesday.
Glad you’re okay. I’m only surprised he didn’t just kill you outright with the car. I warned you about this. NZ has by far the worst angriest most entitled drivers in the Commonwealth. I’ve told bicycle tourists for years to NEVER GO THERE. Australia is almost as bad. I would not consider riding in either country again without a firearm. Seems to be some defect in the character of the men here-some profound insecurity resultant from being so far from actual civilization .