It was the first of two fatalities on southern roads at the weekend — a pedestrian died in Oamaru yesterday.
A police spokeswoman said a person riding a bicycle died in the crash at the intersection of State Highway 84 and Anderson Rd about 3.50pm on Saturday.
No further details were available as to the identity of the victim.
The serious crash unit examined the scene and inquiries into the circumstances of the crash were continuing.
Police yesterday urged anyone who witnessed the crash, or who had dashcam footage, to come forward.
Charges had not been filed at this stage, the spokeswoman said.
Queenstown Lakes district deputy mayor Quentin Smith said the incident was sad and upsetting.
"I noticed some flowers down there today and it’s definitely the talk of the town today and it’s upsetting for the community.
"My thoughts go out to the family involved."
He said it was a reminder to be mindful of all road users when driving around Wānaka.
The council had invested in a two-way cycle lane on the opposite side of Anderson Rd, which was the safest, preferred route for cyclists, he said.
"Not saying the person shouldn’t have been there but we have made some improvements to the safety of cyclists on that road."
Cr Smith said there was no question it was a "tricky spot" and the council would look at reviewing it in light of the incident.
Plantation Rd resident Caroline Holland said she was out having coffee with a friend at the time of the crash, but when she returned home she saw emergency services at the scene.
She said Plantation Rd had been closed off and she had to go around the block to access her home about 100m away from the incident.
"It was about 4pm and the tent was already there.
"It was sort of getting a bit dark.
"I knew someone had died."
Ms Holland said she assumed the driver would not have seen the person on their bicycle when turning into Plantation Rd.
"I mean, God, it happens all the time, so I can see exactly how that would happen.
"It’s a real nightmare cycling across there and we turn left into Plantation Rd all the time.
"It happened to us last night at about 10.30pm — a cyclist came across and didn’t even look to the right and went straight across."
She said the intersection was "super dodgy" and something needed to be done.
"It’s a bloody dangerous junction to cycle in."
Meanwhile, in Oamaru, police said a pedestrian died after they were hit by a vehicle on State Highway 1 about 5.55pm.
An investigation into the incident, between Fernbrook and Redcastle Rds, was under way.
The serious crash unit attended the scene, a statement from police said.
