Cyclist abused via email gets apology

Photo / File / Thinkstock

A cyclist who was told to "f***k off" and "learn how to ride a f***ing bike" has since received an apology from the man she alleged cut her off and then sent her an abusive email.

Kiri Jarden, 44, wrote to Christchurch company MB Roofing to complain about what she said was the aggressive driving of one of its employees.

She was cycling to her arts adviser job on Wednesday morning and said a ute, towing a trailer, drove aggressively and too close to her.

It was not the worst driving behaviour she has encountered as a cyclist, but because the company's name was clearly visible, she decided to send a polite but direct complaint.

The response, "lol f**k off bitch, learn how to ride a f***ing bike", left her gobsmacked.

After the Herald's Sideswipe column linked to the email exchange, it was shared on social media and made TV news.

"There might be a lesson there for a business school," said Ms Jarden, an who cycles to work each day. "That's what happens when you put silly words and profanity in writing, and not an apology. Part of me feels bad for him. I don't know his circumstances ... but this isn't smart business."

Ms Jarden said she received a follow-up apology email last night from 'Mike' - who apparently also sent the original email.

It said: "Hi Kiri, am writing to you to apologies for the very unacceptable reply I sent to you. I have no reasonable explanation why I replied to you in the manner that I did. How I replied was not like me at all. I am very sorry for for this and the incident that happened down St Asaph street. It would be really great if you could accept my apologies, Mike".

Ms Jarden said she accepted the apology.

"I thought it was great, [it was a] really, really cool that he did do that, I thought it was a big thing for him to do considering where things have got to. I guess on one level he probably had very little choice but to apologise."

The apology seemed genuine, and the man admitted he had no excuse for his behaviour, Ms Jarden said.

"He [also] apologised for his driving, so it's a pretty big thing for him to have done."

MB Roofing has not respond to requests for comment.