Awkward police van. ( Or is it me!)

[GFamily]

Possibly unwise, but not illegal unless signs or road markings make it so.

Granted; but it is an emphatic DO NOT in the highway code (Rule 167)

 

[Texas_rp]

Possibly, but to overtake a cyclist, knowing that you are shortly turning left, and will probably have to wait for traffic to come out, is a bit inconsiderate - and would be dangerous if the cyclist happened to be riding at any great speed. Many people seem to assume that bikes only travel at walking pace, so that once you are past them they cease to exist behind you.

Not exactly what I was saying but junctions can be empty one moment as you prepare and then have waiting traffic in it the next. I work in Lambeth London and there are many junctions where a van can overtake and have to wait in. Unfortunately, unless the left turn is so close, it's not always the driver being inconsiderate, just unexpected.

 

[Cubist]

Sounds like a crap driver. Slap the back of the van as hard as you can, flick him a v-sign when he reacts, then cycle off down a snicket so he can't follow you.

Don't let anyone tell you that's crap advice, it's all in the highway code (probably)