in praise of Sainsbury's

[dellzeqq]

going up Farringdon Road this morning at about 18-20mph I was overtaken by a Sainsbury's truck that then squeezed me as it went to the left of this traffic island

of course the overtake was as pointless as it was negligent. I caught and overtook the truck as it slowed for traffic, and gave the driver the benefit of my wisdom.............and then reached for my phone to take a picture.

I got the phone out and ready as I waited to turn right in to Rosebery Avenue, and turned to take the snap. The Sainsbury's truck had stopped some 100 m back. The driver didn't budge. I shrugged and took the right turn. As soon as I was on Rosebery Avenue the Sainsbury's truck lurched forward and crossed the traffic lights at a decent clip.

I don't think there's any doubt that the Sainsbury's driver had worked out what I was going to do, and decided he would do all he could not to be identified. I have to concede it worked.

This got me thinking. I reckon that Sainsbury's drivers have been told not to put cyclists in harms way. Why else would he want to remain anonymous?

So, the title of this thread is entirely straightforward. If Sainsbury's have put the fear of commuting cyclists in to their drivers, mine's a glass of Castillo De Albai Joven Rioja (now being knocked out at two for a tenner)

 

[Tynan]

that or he's banned from driving

 

[theclaud]

going up Farringdon Road this morning at about 18-20mph I was overtaken by a Sainsbury's truck that then squeezed me as it went to the left of this traffic island



of course the overtake was as pointless as it was negligent. I caught and overtook the truck as it slowed for traffic, and gave the driver the benefit of my wisdom.............and then reached for my phone to take a picture.

I got the phone out and ready as I waited to turn right in to Rosebery Avenue, and turned to take the snap. The Sainsbury's truck had stopped some 100 m back. The driver didn't budge. I shrugged and took the right turn. As soon as I was on Rosebery Avenue the Sainsbury's truck lurched forward and crossed the traffic lights at a decent clip.

I don't think there's any doubt that the Sainsbury's driver had worked out what I was going to do, and decided he would do all he could not to be identified. I have to concede it worked.

This got me thinking. I reckon that Sainsbury's drivers have been told not to put cyclists in harms way. Why else would he want to remain anonymous?

So, the title of this thread is entirely straightforward. If Sainsbury's have put the fear of commuting cyclists in to their drivers, mine's a glass of Castillo De Albai Joven Rioja (now being knocked out at two for a tenner)

I'll drink to that. And if they are setting such an example I will perhaps let Belvoir Lettings know, for their current policy when being asked to account for a very similar incident appears to be come over all Keith Oates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You've got to love the bit in bold.

I find your email to be completely excessive and out of line. I suggest that you look at your own capabilities on the road before you point your finger at other road users. At the end of the day, whether we look at your version of events or Daisys’, NO ONE IS HURT AND THIS IS A MINOR INCIDENT!!!! If you would like to pursue this further then I suggest you speak to a Police Officer or a Solicitor. I would suggest that this would be a complete waste of everyone’s VALUBLE TIME. I would also suggest that you direct your energy towards the boy racers in fast cars and not at hardworking Company Directors in Smart Cars

 

[coffeejo]

Ooh, that reminds me, I need to email the co-op for completely the opposite reason. One of their drivers overtook me yesterday as though he was overtaking a car - if I had a camera, I would have recorded it as an example for all the idiots who shouldn't be in charge of moving vehicles.

 

[marinyork]

I suspect there isn't such a policy. At best I suspect the distribution centre or base in question has 'mentioned it' or some other driver there has had issues or the driver as tynan says. From a chain of command and complaints point of view it's far more likely that an overall policy would operate for on-line shopping.

My 'training loop' goes past a large tescos. As I use the outer ring road often at night I would also see a lot of Morrisons HGVs having just dropped off. Many of the tescos HGVs would be unnecessarily cautious near to the store. I just assumed that they were new drivers and had taken heed of some passing comment made by someone else, which makes them better drivers rather than the company taking credit for it. I think ASDA lorries would be the most likely to have a 'policy'.

 

[david1701]

Ooh, that reminds me, I need to email the co-op for completely the opposite reason. One of their drivers overtook me yesterday as though he was overtaking a car - if I had a camera, I would have recorded it as an example for all the idiots who shouldn't be in charge of moving vehicles.

surely you want them to treat you like a car?

 

[GFamily]

surely you want them to treat you like a car?

I think you've got the wrong end of the stick there!

 

[StuartG]

Dell - I think you may be right. and not just about wine. I normally find Sainsbury's huge artics have the most thoughtful drivers on the road particularly on the very difficult London roads with frequent obstructions and junctions. It seems that bigger the vehicle the better the driver. I expect they can afford to pay more and can pick the best - and its a job the drivers don't want to lose.

Having driven lorries in my youth I have a huge regard for their skill. Quite different from the construction industry lorries with their supposedly better sightlines.

Mistakes we all make. And if this guy regretted what he had done - then that's actually good. And I bet if you had reported it to Sainsburys on their 0800 number they could have identified the culprit through GPS tracking.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Ot slightly but on my ride yesterday the most considerate of all drivers were the Army. They must be gearing up for an exercise the in Brecon Beacons as I was passed by many lorries. Each and every one of them did so with plenty of space and in perfect safety. Well done chaps!!!