cyclist Cyclist 'assaulted' by van driver sought by police

[Depicus]

"A cyclist who filmed an argument with a van driver in which he appears to have been knocked off his bike and assaulted has been urged to contact police.

A video posted on YouTube shows a bike in collision with a van, before the driver and the cyclist argue and the driver appears to punch the cyclist.

Essex Police said it was aware of the video, which is believed to have been filmed on the Essex/London border.

A man, thought to be the van driver, has given police his account of events.

The footage, uploaded on Thursday and since viewed more than 65,000 times, shows a van with the livery of Taylor Landscaping, a company based in Billericay, Essex.

The BBC could not reach Taylor Landscaping for a comment."

More here

Hope this ****head gets what he deserves. Forget the cyclist, anybody who can assault another road user at the drop of a hat is not the kind of person you want on the roads.

[theyarecomingforyou]

OMG! 

 

That man needs to be in locked up. It's depressing that there are people like that out there. I feel really sorry for the cyclist.

[DocM]

I can sympathize, but the cyclist shouldn't have passed on the shoulder either.

When I was 18 I bought a motorcycle for riding to and from my college classes and knocking around. One day some a-hole in a big sedan pulled next to me, grinned and swerved into my lane, putting me into a ditch. Nice guy.

For 5 minutes with that guy.....

[Soldiers33]

cyclist is an idiot. Does he not know not to pass on the left side? Especially when the guy is turning left. Got what he deserved to be honest.

[Depicus]

cyclist is an idiot. Does he not know not to pass on the left side? Especially when the guy is turning left. Got what he deserved to be honest.

 

So you think it's ok to beat somebody up who you've just knocked off their bike !!! Classy - you may not like cyclists but if this guy is so quick to smack a cyclist I doubt he would be to concerned if it was another motorist or a pedestrian. Maybe you also forgot he was breaking the law by using his phone while driving, maybe if you lose somebody close to you by a driver using their phone you might feel different but I suspect not. 

 

I guess you would be happy for people to break any law they want, although I suspect only when it doesn't affect you.

[The Evil Overlord]

cyclist is an idiot. Does he not know not to pass on the left side? Especially when the guy is turning left. Got what he deserved to be honest.

Really? Cyclists are not the bane of the roads, and the driver could have waited for the cyclist to pass, THEN made his left turn (incidentally I didn't see his front left indicator flashing)

I'm getting sick and tired of the d*******s on the road thinking they're the most important person on the road, any traffic officer would contradict this sort of thinking, and not only that, pedestrians and cyclists are mentioned in the Highway Code, which means the driver has chosen to ignore what he was taught, which in turn leads to more events like these and more horrific traffic collisions

(bit like the idiots who seem to have forgotten pedestrians in the road have right of way)

[theyarecomingforyou]

cyclist is an idiot. Does he not know not to pass on the left side? Especially when the guy is turning left. Got what he deserved to be honest.

What a reprehensible thing to say. I'd hate to live in your world, where apparently everyone 'deserves' to be physically assaulted. The van clearly pulled into the cyclist. Regardless, the behaviour of the van driver is utterly unacceptable and he is clearly a danger to society. Stop blaming the victim.

 

I can sympathize, but the cyclist shouldn't have passed on the shoulder either.

Actually, you're wrong:

Many drivers in the UK, particularly those living in busy cities, will have at some point felt a pang of jealousy towards the cyclists on the road who are able to ride though the traffic to their destination. However, whilst the ability to ride past stationary traffic is one of the many benefits of choosing to cycle, many road users are unsure of whether or not it is technically legal or, for that matter, safe.

 

In the context of cycling,

[DocM]

Then this his is a culture conflict. In many (most?) states passing on the shoulder, especially if a solid line is crossed, is illegal no matter how many wheels your vehicle has. "Improper Passing".

[T3X4S]

Both could have done things differently - its real easy to sit back and Monday-morning-quarterback the whole thing (thats an American saying)

Dont be so quick to pass judgement on either - there are a multitude of things that could have happened that made them act this way -

 

[The Evil Overlord]

Both could have done things differently - its real easy to sit back and Monday-morning-quarterback the whole thing (thats an American saying)

Dont be so quick to pass judgement on either - there are a multitude of things that could have happened that made them act this way -

My good friend, I know what you're saying, I am not the biggest fan of cyclists, but when I was younger, I used to be a cyclists as nearly everyone else might have been too, but when I learned to drive in my truck (tractor semi trailer), with it's blind spots, I had it drilled into me, to take special care to look out for cyclists, lets face it, against one of those behemoths, most other road users do come off second best, worst still, the idiots who think these trucks can stop-on-a-dime

before I continue ranting I will state, we all have to share the road, even with cyclists who don't always obey the rules (even though I've seen police stop offending cyclists)

[The Evil Overlord]

Question:

 

The user tag in the screenshot, DRMORCHO, was that not the cyclist? Or if he's just the uploader, does he know the cyclist? Surely the police could start by asking there....?

[Dick Montage]

Got what he deserved to be honest.

 

Got what he deserved.  A huge violent overreaction to something.

 

Idiocy still rife...

[theyarecomingforyou]

Both could have done things differently - its real easy to sit back and Monday-morning-quarterback the whole thing (thats an American saying)

I honestly don't know how you can equate a cyclist using the road appropriately and a van driver aggressively turning into the cyclist and then proceeding to assault him. If it wasn't for the other cyclist the van driver would have likely put the guy in hospital. That is not what civilised people do. It astounds me that anyone would defend the actions of the van driver. 

 

I have to believe that some people here simply make outrageous comments for the sake of provoking a reaction. I don't want to accept a world where assaulting a cyclist is considered an appropriate response.

[T3X4S]

You mistook what I said, I am not sticking up for the van driver - I am saying there were things the cyclist could have done differently that would have prevented the whole thing from happening in the 1st place - not that he was at fault - just commenting on the multitude of variables leading up to that point - and nobody knows all of the details.

Something had to set the van driver off - could that offense not have been avoided for the greater good ?

Thats all Im saying - I dont care personally if they both die - makes no difference to me.

 

[n_K]

Then this his is a culture conflict. In many (most?) states passing on the shoulder, especially if a solid line is crossed, is illegal no matter how many wheels your vehicle has. "Improper Passing".

This whole article has sod all to do with america or your states. None of your laws apply here, please read the original post first.

I honestly don't know how you can equate a cyclist using the road appropriately and a van driver aggressively turning into the cyclist and then proceeding to assault him. If it wasn't for the other cyclist the van driver would have likely put the guy in hospital. That is not what civilised people do. It astounds me that anyone would defend the actions of the van driver. 

 

I have to believe that some people here simply make outrageous comments for the sake of provoking a reaction. I don't want to accept a world where assaulting a cyclist is considered an appropriate response.

I think there was only 1 cyclist, when it looks like he's knocked down, I think it's just his camera on his head that was knocked off, but yes, the van driver is quite clearly in the wrong.

[theyarecomingforyou]

You mistook what I said, I am not sticking up for the van driver - I am saying there were things the cyclist could have done differently that would have prevented the whole thing from happening in the 1st place - not that he was at fault - just commenting on the multitude of variables leading up to that point - and nobody knows all of the details.

That's like saying women wouldn't get raped if they were wearing chastity belts. Blaming the victim doesn't help anything.

 

I think there was only 1 cyclist, when it looks like he's knocked down, I think it's just his camera on his head that was knocked off, but yes, the van driver is quite clearly in the wrong.

Looking at it again I think you're right.

[DocM]

This whole article has sod all to do with america or your states. None of your laws apply here, please read the original post first.

>

Then we can now count on Brits etc. to no longer post disparaging comments about US firearms laws, incidents etc.?

Goose, gander etc.

[Depicus]

Just to clarify, the driver was not turning - he was on the phone while driving. It appears he deliberately drove into the curb - my view from watching the video a few times.

 

The police know who the driver is but the original video was taken down from YouTube after a complaint and was re-posted by others, so without the original cyclist no charges can be made. However looks like karma has already struck as the company has been suspended from CheckATrader. Am sure the cyclists of Essex will reward this man.

[T3X4S]

That's like saying women wouldn't get raped if they were wearing chastity belts. Blaming the victim doesn't help anything.

 

 

Looking at it again I think you're right.

Well I certainly never think women are at fault for rape, so you obviously misunderstand what I am saying.  Doesnt surprise me really, you and I rarely agree on these things.

[theyarecomingforyou]

Well I certainly never think women are at fault for rape, so you obviously misunderstand what I am saying. 

So a woman isn't to blame for being raped, yet a cyclist is to blame when a van drives into them and the driver assaults them? I'm just trying to clarify your position, as at face value it seems absurd.

[T3X4S]

I dont know what the "rules of the road" are for cyclists or driving near them, but to me - it seems he was awfully close to where the slightest movement on the driver of the van would be a problem for the cyclist.

However, it seems as if the guys in the van provoked and were waiting for something to happen.

Im just saying - why was the cyclist so close ?  Why didn't he wait ? 

We dont have those problems in the city, but in the suburbs where I live, they have very large sidewalks, or designated lanes -  when they are in the street, I have never been around to see something like this happen.... those guys in the van were definately looking to start crap - but I watched it and thought "why in the F is the cyclist so close to that van ?"


My previous comments were more about what made them act that way - is there something we didn't see ? - I was commenting on the fact there could be a ton of things we dont know.
 

[MikeChipshop Member]

Just to clarify, the driver was not turning - he was on the phone while driving. It appears he deliberately drove into the curb - my view from watching the video a few times.

This a million times ^^^

Cyclist did nothing wrong at all, it's a common tactic of these type of drivers in London to push you up against the kerb till you dismount. These guys should face serious punishment for a very dangerous bit of driving and some seriously stupid and violent behavior.

I dont know what the "rules of the road" are for cyclists or driving near them, but to me - it seems he was awfully close to where the slightest movement on the driver of the van would be a problem for the cyclist.

However, it seems as if the guys in the van provoked and were waiting for something to happen.

Im just saying - why was the cyclist so close ?  Why didn't he wait ? 

We dont have those problems in the city, but in the suburbs where I live, they have very large sidewalks, or designated lanes -  when they are in the street, I have never been around to see something like this happen.... those guys in the van were definately looking to start crap - but I watched it and thought "why in the F is the cyclist so close to that van ?"

My previous comments were more about what made them act that way - is there something we didn't see ? - I was commenting on the fact there could be a ton of things we dont know.

Nah, as a cyclist for over 30 years, in that area, as well as working for companies where i would have been the guy in that passenger seat, that is exactly how drivers in those trade type vans behave. Like they own the road.

The cyclist was exactly where he should be and the law requires the driver to give him at least a metre of room.

This is totally all on the drivers.

[123456789A]

They should have a duel.

[MikeChipshop Member]

They should have a duel.

You mean a "joust"? That would be much better

[theyarecomingforyou]

I dont know what the "rules of the road" are for cyclists or driving near them, but to me - it seems he was awfully close to where the slightest movement on the driver of the van would be a problem for the cyclist.

However, it seems as if the guys in the van provoked and were waiting for something to happen.

Im just saying - why was the cyclist so close ?  Why didn't he wait ?

And how's that different from asking why a rape victim was wearing a short dress and/or flirting provocatively? Drivers are expected to check their mirrors and be aware of potential hazards. If the van driver hadn't seen the cyclist and had accidentally hit him then he'd have got out to check if the cyclist was okay - it was clear he deliberately drove into him and used that as an excuse to assault him. The driver of that van knew the cyclist was there, shouted abuse and then turned into him, before proceeding to assault him.

 

My previous comments were more about what made them act that way - is there something we didn't see ? - I was commenting on the fact there could be a ton of things we dont know.

What makes a rapist sexually assault someone? Sometimes they're just messed up people. The driver of the van is clearly not a well-balanced individual and has serious anger issues.

 

I wasn't making the comparison flippantly. I'm seriously wondering why you think blaming the victim here is appropriate when you admitted yourself that women aren't to blame if they're raped. Why are you applying two different standards? According to the law the cyclist did nothing wrong and even if he did the response from the van driver was not measured or proportionate.

 

It concerns me that some here seem to think the cyclist 'got what he deserved' or is partially to blame when it is quite clear that the van driver was responsible for the situation. I hope the van driver loses his job and is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.