A cyclist has narrowly avoided being hit by a Deadline Couriers van after it swerved into the lane she was using.
Kristen, who didn't want to give her full name, was riding home at what she estimates was around 40km/h on Auckland's Khyber Pass Rd around 5pm on Tuesday evening when she noticed the van in front of her slowing down.
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Suddenly it swerved into her lane, coming within inches of hitting her and knocking her off her bike. Kristen slammed on the brakes and screamed, but the driver didn't notice and took off down the road.
She said she had experienced other incidents where she felt "sandwiched" between cars, buses or trucks and the footpath, but this was definitely the biggest and scariest experience.
"I really thought I was going to be hit," she told Newshub.
Once she got home Kristen called the courier company and explained the situation to a representative she said was very apologetic. She said she was told the company would follow up with her, but they are yet to contact her.
Deadline Couriers did respond internally to the incident though, General Manager Andrew Merrill told Newshub the driver was shown the video the next morning.
He said the company's drivers were on the road all day and occasionally made mistakes. While it's never ideal the company intends to use this one as an opportunity to educate.
Kristen hopes others learn from her experience too, and drivers become aware that they need to look out for other road users.
"People do get frustrated during peak, [but] slow down, pause, take a look in your blind spot to see what's behind you," she said.
Newshub.
