Press.co.nz: Mayor ready to help make peace on road
By GLENN CONWAY – The Press Last updated 05:00 02/02/2010
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is ready to mediate in the row between cyclists and motorists, but is not convinced a major problem exists.
Police are investigating a complaint after a car passenger assaulted cyclist Rik Unthank at the bottom of Dyers Pass Rd in Cashmere last Thursday.
Parker said he was unsure it had escalated to a point where city leaders should intervene.
“I would be prepared to facilitate a meeting or a broader discussion if there was strong push from either side,” he said.
Canterbury road policing manager Inspector Al Stewart said the media were responsible for suggesting growing tension between motorists and cyclists.
“If there is bad blood, it is being generated in the media.”
Police had not received a raft of complaints “despite what the media are trying to say”, he said.
