What is likely to happen?

[medals]

My feeling at the time was outrage, but more than anything, I just thought that this bloke needs to be reminded of his behaviour and the highway code, I also feel that I am more experienced and was able to avoid injury at the initial incident, but had damaged the confidence of a child or inexperienced rider. All I want is for the Police to feel his collar and tell him that just can't do this sort of thing.

I can understand your dilemma.
I am trying very hard atm not to get wound up by numptys on the road.
So do I give in to the rage and have a go? Or just let it go and do nothing.
I have said something politely on a few occasions 'cos like you, I think they could do that to a young or inexperienced cyclist and if they're not told, or think they can get away with dangerous driving they'll do it again.

 

[porridge]

I can understand your dilemma.
I am trying very hard atm not to get wound up by numptys on the road.
So do I give in to the rage and have a go? Or just let it go and do nothing.
I have said something politely on a few occasions 'cos like you, I think they could do that to a young or inexperienced cyclist and if they're not told, or think they can get away with dangerous driving they'll do it again.

Thats exactly it !, its far easier to let it go, and to be honest there are just too many idiot drivers out there, so does it make a real difference to complain to the few I come accross?, well I think each case needs to be judged on its merit, but the really dangerous drivers need to be made aware or it could cost a childs life.

 

[Tynan]

I may have misread it but if you want to change lane surely the vehicle in the lane already has the right of way, they don't have to let you in, if you did;t have time and space to get into primary then he didn't have to let you in

correct me if I'm wrong

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

I may have misread it but if you want to change lane surely the vehicle in the lane already has the right of way, they don't have to let you in, if you did;t have time and space to get into primary then he didn't have to let you in

correct me if I'm wrong

My reading of op was slightly different Tynan – sounded to me like there was only one lane, cyclist moved from secondary to primary (in anticipation or fight turn) but van behind kept coming at him so he had to swerve back into the gutter – If my interpretation is correct then I think the van driver was clearly in the wrong – However, I wasn't there, and if there were two lanes (cyclist in left, van in right) then you would be correct. Perhaps we need a little clarification.

 

[classic33]

The more serious part to this is the fact that the driver used his vehicle as weapon. He attempted to run someone off the road with it.

This after the initial incident of trying to turn right, having clearly indicated his intention of turning.

Why not let those he delivers to know what his driving is like.

 

[yenrod]

>so what is likely to happen now?

You attacked his van.

 

[porridge]

My reading of op was slightly different Tynan – sounded to me like there was only one lane, cyclist moved from secondary to primary (in anticipation or fight turn) but van behind kept coming at him so he had to swerve back into the gutter – If my interpretation is correct then I think the van driver was clearly in the wrong – However, I wasn't there, and if there were two lanes (cyclist in left, van in right) then you would be correct. Perhaps we need a little clarification.

TC

You've explained it perfectly

 

[porridge]

>so what is likely to happen now?

You attacked his van.

Well I wouldn't say I attacked his van, you're entitled to your opinion (but you weren't there) but still doesn't give anyone the right to swerve into you and use their vehicle to knock you off your bike.

 

[porridge]

The more serious part to this is the fact that the driver used his vehicle as weapon. He attempted to run someone off the road with it.

This after the initial incident of trying to turn right, having clearly indicated his intention of turning.

Why not let those he delivers to know what his driving is like.

I am amazed that I haven't heard a thing, if I hadn't have taken the appropriate evasive action to avoid being knocked off, then I could have easily been thrown off the bike.

 

[andy_wrx]

Thrown off the bike ?
You could have been knocked off the bike, fallen under the back wheels or into the path of a following vehicle and been killed.

It could be said there are two parts to this incident and the first one is perhaps open to interpretation
- your view of it is that you were pulling-out and he didn't give way to you, forced you back into the gutter
- he might argue that he was passing you and you pulled-out into his path without looking
I wasn't there, won't comment on it except to say that of the two of you I know which I'd believe !

But the other part is that he then tried to run you off the road with the van, which is dangerous driving at the very least.
This is a serious criminal offence, and if you've got a witness to this, the police have to take it seriously.

Get him off the road...

 

[shimano]

'I am amazed that I haven't heard a thing,...' these things take time, be patient. Plod will have to visit the driver and interview him maybe at home. They will then need to write it up and maybe report back to you. Remember the police work shifts so it might be the particular officer assigned to this could now be on his rest days or nights or... of course you may never hear back but in my experience plod always follows up - the wheels of justice DO turn (just a bit slow at times)

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

'I am amazed that I haven't heard a thing,...' these things take time, be patient. Plod will have to visit the driver and interview him maybe at home. They will then need to write it up and maybe report back to you. Remember the police work shifts so it might be the particular officer assigned to this could now be on his rest days or nights or... of course you may never hear back but in my experience plod always follows up - the wheels of justice DO turn (just a bit slow at times)

Got to agree here – in a past life I would have argued that you were wasting your time reporting any incident that hadn’t resulted in damage to property or hadn’t been filmed and witnessed – that had been my experience to date – but, on the last occasion the police did follow up my complaint – for the record, I got a letter back saying that they had interviewed the driver and would be keeping my allegations on record – this was about 3 weeks after the incident.