Dear Parcelforce :-(

[downfader]

Just had to send them this, not very happy:

Dear Parcelforce, I am afraid I wish to lodge a complaint about one of your red van delivery drivers.

This afternoon, not more that 30 minutes ago (2.50pm) as I rode my cycle home I had an incident with one of your drivers! Frankly his driving was dangerous and appalling.

I first noticed him, or rather his over-revving of the engine, when I was waiting at the junction of Heatherdeane Road (southampton) as he flew up behind me at speed. I turned right on to Highfield Lane and headed downhill. Your driver remained about 30cm from my back wheel until the traffic island.

Now please bear in mind as this is downhill I easily pick up speed. Glancing at my speedmeter/odometer I realised I was doing 25mph. As I pulled through the traffic island your driver then forced himself through too - there is BARELY enough room for myself and a small motorvehicle - let alone a large delivery van. I did try to shout a warning to desist and got eye contact, but this is very hard when someone is rubbing their vehicle down your elbow!

The driver then took an immediate right turn after passing me into Orchards Way to make a delivery, I am afraid I was too shaken up to take down his particulars and simply thought best to ride on and distance myself from him and his aggressive driving.

Can I also point out that drivers should give way to cyclists already passing through traffic islands or nearing them, provision for this is in the Highway Code. We have already had one cyclist seriously hurt on that very road not more than a month ago and I really do not wish to be the next!

Thank you!

D

This was an exceptional peice of dangerous driving, how he never had me off I dont know. He clearly knew I was there as he made eye contact and had followed me out of a junction, he also didnt save himself any time with the overtake and I wondered after if it had been deliberate.

 

[thomas]

Good letter. To the point and not preachy.

I'm guessing you didn't have your camera?

 

[downfader]

Good letter. To the point and not preachy.

I'm guessing you didn't have your camera?

Havent been arsed with the camera for a while. Need to sort out a new card too.

 

[GrahamNR17]

One daren't even use the word "professional driver"

Glad you survived this moron. Keep pressing the point with ParcelFarce until you are satisfied he's had a really good rollocking from his fleet manager.

 

[jonredhornet]

Dear me, glad you're OK. Hopefully they should be able to pin point the driver as they have the location and time. Keep us posted if you get a response.

There's just no excuse for it :S

 

[downfader]

Cheers people! I'm going for a lie down. Now have a massive headache. Filled this out on Stop SMIDSY too.

 

[upsidedown]

What a crap end to the week. Glad you're ok and hope he gets at least a warning.

 

[hackbike 666]

Not the end of my week.First of seven commutes.

I had this with a mad bus driver the other night.

People really are stupid sometimes.

 

[downfader]

..an experiment I tried this week..

I dont think all drivers who pass too closely quite realise what they are doing so I came up with an idea on monday after 4 close passes (just wish I was wearing this thing yesterday!)

I took my hiviz tabbard into work and used a chunky marker pen to put "1.5m -->" right where drivers could see it. My theory is that they get close enough to see the 2 inch high letters and think "oh maybe thats what I need to do" and it reassures the less experienced at overtaking us.

The distance is kind of besides the point until you're on faster roads.. I'd be happy with about a meter on most 30mph ones, and I dont think many drivers will be pulling out a tape measure anyway.

I wore the tabbard 4 times this week and only received one close pass, yesterday was too cold so I wore the night vision thermal jacket instead. Plenty of drivers resisted tailgating me too.

 

[thomas]

I dont think all drivers who pass too closely quite realise what they are doing so I came up with an idea on monday after 4 close passes (just wish I was wearing this thing yesterday!)

I took my hiviz tabbard into work and used a chunky marker pen to put "1.5m -->" right where drivers could see it. My theory is that they get close enough to see the 2 inch high letters and think "oh maybe thats what I need to do" and it reassures the less experienced at overtaking us.

I think that's right. If you've never ridden a bike on the roads properly you probably wouldn't. I'd overtake a car closer than I would a bicycle, so if you've never ridden a bike you'd probably do the same.

Some people just could care though

 

[snorri]

I've discovered the Fleet Manager of Rentokil does not trouble himself about reckless driving reports even when the complainant quotes date, time, location and registration number.
Best just to complain directly to the police.

 

[Tinuts]

I'm beginning to wonder if tfl are the same, despite their online complaints facility. Sure enough, one usually gets an acknowledgement of a comlaint along with reams of print about how they train their drivers to be aware of cyclists etc etc etc. Doesn't seem to make a blind bit of difference to their drivers' behaviour though. I have my doubts as to whether they ever pass the complaints on to the bus companies concerned.

 

[thomas]

I'm beginning to wonder if tfl are the same, despite their online complaints facility. Sure enough, one usually gets an acknowledgement of a comlaint along with reams of print about how they train their drivers to be aware of cyclists etc etc etc. Doesn't seem to make a blind bit of difference to their drivers' behaviour though. I have my doubts as to whether they ever pass the complaints on to the bus companies concerned.

TNT never responded after I complimented one of their drivers, which was a real shame

 

[downfader]

I'm beginning to wonder if tfl are the same, despite their online complaints facility. Sure enough, one usually gets an acknowledgement of a comlaint along with reams of print about how they train their drivers to be aware of cyclists etc etc etc. Doesn't seem to make a blind bit of difference to their drivers' behaviour though. I have my doubts as to whether they ever pass the complaints on to the bus companies concerned.

I dont often get trouble with professional drivers around here tbh, and i think if I did and it was consistant I would take it to the press. I think especially if things did not improve.

 

[hackbike 666]

I give a blast on the horn if I think they have passed too close.