Not again (River Road, Upper Hutt, 16 December)

[Lord Derosso]

it wasn't me neither as I live in Wellington South and of course I am replying to more terrible news. I try and keep to lawful speeds at all times BUT I have had so many close calls the last year or so I sometimes feel like giving the biking away. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as this when I started back in the 70's and nor was it anywhere near as bad 10 years ago. Too many fast imports with idiot kids behind them? I dont have the answer but this accident seems to point out the fact that anything can happen at anytime so we all need to be really careful. My advice has always been to allow a good space between you and the guy in front of you and if that offends the buttholes behind you, let them pass. Its just not worth trying to be #1 all the time. I leave that until I hit the country roads. Then its watching out for stock.

[apteryx_haasti]

I also passed this accident shortly after it happened (taking JCM and hubby to the airport)...it looked really bad but we were hoping that the biker was somehow ok.

This one really makes me angry/sad as well because the biker was not doing a solitary thing wrong and was (apparently) taken out by some bastard going the other way and being a prick.

I hope they can do the driver of the car and put him/her away for a long time.

RIP biker. Thoughts go out to all who knew you.

[Hitcher]

Rhys Douglas Gard, aged 32 of Masterton, according to this morning's DominionPost.

Deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

[quickbuck]

Thanks Hitcher.

Condolences to Rhys's Family and Friends.

Very sad Christmas for them, I'm sure.

Stay safe everybody.

[James Deuce]

I hope they can do the driver of the car and put him/her away for a long time.

It's a traffic "accident". Those are acceptable in NZ. It will be unlikely that the chap in question will receive anything other than a fine (which won't be paid) and a license suspension (which will be ignored).

As long as we continue to wrap murderous behaviour on the road in the etymology of an "accident", people will continue to behave in ways that show an utter lack of concern for other road users.

RIP Rhys.

[apteryx_haasti]

It's a traffic "accident". Those are acceptable in NZ. It will be unlikely that the chap in question will receive anything other than a fine (which won't be paid) and a license suspension (which will be ignored).

As long as we continue to wrap murderous behaviour on the road in the etymology of an "accident", people will continue to behave in ways that show an utter lack of concern for other road users.

You're right. And that is so wrong...

[Bend-it]

Condolences to the Gard family...

[RantyDave]

It's a traffic "accident".

I'm not sure it was. By the sounds of it the cager in question was on the wrong side of a double yellow, and there were witnesses to road rage'y behaviour. To me that says a prosecution for dangerous driving causing death for which, if we're lucky, the cager in question may actually do time.

If we're lucky. Unlike Rhys, and unlike his family. RIP fallen biker, again.

As an aside I've just returned from a meeting in town and about 2k short of home I come round a blind (hedges etc) left hander to find a honda odyssey in the middle of the road overtaking a cyclist. Overtaking in the glacial sense, that is, and said people mover continued this diabolical manoevre round the corner until it was out of sight. I was a few K's slower than usual and had plenty of time to assess the situation and generally speaking come off my line and do something about it but on another day we might have been having another of those treads.

The holidays have started and they're all out now. Be careful, eh?

Dave

[James Deuce]

Read my post again Dave. I was taking the piss out of the way anything that happens on the road is automatically deemed an accident and treated accordingly.

[Lissa]

I didnt know him, thought I might with him being my age and from Masters.. condolances to the family.

When I went to featherston on saturday I was followed extremely close by a car, I mean so close I was sure if I braked a little it would have rammed me up the butt. I kept looking behind me, to tell her to back off, she just got closer to me... and this was in a 50k area.... luckly I managed to pull over and let her pass because I felt really unsafe. I dont get it... when I drive a car, I always (even before I had a bike) let a lot of room between me and a bike.... some people just suck!

[KATWYN]

she just got closer to me... and this was in a 50k area.... luckly I managed to pull over and let her pass because I felt really unsafe. :

You have encountered the motorcycle terrorist. Sadly they do exist and
they are out there. Pure evil

[mazz1972]

I knew the Gard family for a while many years ago (although I hardly knew Rhys). He was a biker back then so has been riding for many years.
The family is formerly of Pukerua Bay & Raumati South (Kapiti) so Rhys probably still had friends in Wellington & Kapiti. Not sure if he lived in Masterton himself but his parents live in the Wairarapa.

Very sad news indeed...RIP Rhys.

[Stormer]

Years ago a mate at work injured himself, and I had to ride his bike home.
I noticed that when I rode his old Triumph with high rise bars, matt black helmet and big ol` leather jacket with the gnarley security chain over my shoulder, all cars for some reason gave me HEAPS of room...
I`m from Masterton myself, so my thoughts go out to the rider and family.

[quickbuck]

I didnt know him, thought I might with him being my age and from Masters.. condolances to the family.

When I went to featherston on saturday I was followed extremely close by a car, I mean so close I was sure if I braked a little it would have rammed me up the butt. I kept looking behind me, to tell her to back off...

I find putting in some BIG steering effort (as in countersteering) so you weave within your lane usually makes them back off.

[skelstar]

Hmm...I grew up in Pukerua Bay and went to Kapiti College...wonder if I knew his older brother or something...

Ah...Lance Gard. Sounds familiar.

My condolences to the Gard family.