.. and the general attitude of drivers towards cyclists.

Update - Wednesday pm
The K2 organisers had an update from Bretts wife earlier today "Tarryn tells me he is incredibly strong and he is progressing quite well, he is conversing  His children(both very young) visited yesterday, he was really happy to see them - has no problem with recognizing people now.  They operated on his arm yesterday, it went well.  They have had Brett out of bed walking/albeit very painfully to the bathroom....thank god that he is making good progress....prayers must be working - keep them going "

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Auckland’s Brett Burton suffered head injuries in the accident, which occurred when a pack of riders climbing Kuaotuna Hill near Whitianga were forced between a ute and a milk tanker.

Riders who witnessed the event clearly lay the blame on the driver of the ute. It is alleged that the ute forced the pack of cyclists to take evasive action when it cut in front to avoid the oncoming tanker. Comments made by Police Inspector Earle McIntosh in the New Zealand Herald about the accident have been highly criticised by race riders and other cyclists. McIntosh is quoted as saying ‘the cyclists were using the road as if they owned it and came round a blind corner and met a milk tanker’ . Brett on the startline>>

This version of events has been dismissed by a witness who states, ‘the accident was on a straight bit of road and we hadn't even arrived at the corner.’

Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) is calling for McIntosh's role in the investigation to be reviewed and a new senior officer, with a better understanding of the Road Code's provisions for cycling, to be appointed. 

"The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN) emphasises that there can be no excuse for dangerous driving. In this case Police comments have continued to blame cyclists for behaving badly on the day while excusing the ute driver for intentionally behaving dangerously and causing serious injury. Motorists and cyclists need to learn more about sharing the road in safety, and obviously the Police need to as well. Perhaps this extends to developing appropriate procedures for investigating crashes involving cyclists."

Steve Knowles from Sportzhub calls for stronger sentences for those found guilty of hitting cyclists after experiencing first hand being hit from behind in a designated cycle lane. “The drivers of cars walk from court with minimal fines, while the lucky cyclists who comes away from the incident with their life can be laid up in beds for weeks & months.”  “During the race I learnt hoons in cars come in all ages even on clear roads with one or two cyclists”.  Lets hope some good comes from the accident for those on both sides of the cars panel.

K2 promoter Andy Reid has been monitoring the injured rider’s recovery and at last report had this to say, "Brett has been moved from ICU to a general ward and is described as being in a satisfactory condition".

Sportzhub wishes Brett Burton a speedy, full recovery & return to conquer the K2, and welcomes any discussion that highlights the issues surrounding cycle safety and road sharing.