Ministerial car filmed left-hooking cyclist as it enters Parliament ahead of Autumn Statement

Grahamd wrote:

Evidence, if ever it was needed that the government doesn't give a damn about cyclists. 

Quite a big leap there from a driver (and I admit I'm guessing here but I don't imagine the driver is a member of the government) cutting up a cyclist to government  giving a damn about cyclists.

psling wrote:

Grahamd wrote:

Evidence, if ever it was needed that the government doesn't give a damn about cyclists. 

 

Quite a big leap there from a driver (and I admit I'm guessing here but I don't imagine the driver is a member of the government) cutting up a cyclist to government  giving a damn about cyclists.

Perhaps. However when inappropriate driving of government vehicles is highlighted then a prompt statement should follow to show that they recognise it and are taking appropriate action. The government are quick enough to give statements about what they want you to hear. If they cannot give a timely statement to show that the drivers actions were unacceptable then by default they are condoning it, which shows they don't give a damn IMHO.

Grahamd wrote:

Evidence, if ever it was needed that the government doesn't give a damn about cyclists. 

So the chauffeur of a car represents the entire UK's governmental policy towards cyclists? I fail to see any logic behind this statement.

TFR wrote:

I don't agree, you don't have to be hit by the other vehicle to have been left hooked by them.  The only reason there wasn't a collision was because the person on the bike slowed down, it's still a left hook, happend to me on a  few occasions, the highway code is clear, you don't overtake another vehicle to turn left, you hang back and wait for them to pass the exit.  It's very bad driving from a professional driver.

In general I'd agree and it was unfortunate timing but I should point out that in this case the driver is professional in the sense of it's his or her job to make sure the vehicle isn't stationery at what constitutes a predictable pinch point. 

I do think the lesson to be learned though is that they probably need an officer further up the road to stop the any traffic that might make the manoever difficult such as this cyclist. 

Not a good watch though is it?

TFR wrote:

I don't agree, you don't have to be hit by the other vehicle to have been left hooked by them.  The only reason there wasn't a collision was because the person on the bike slowed down, it's still a left hook, happend to me on a  few occasions, the highway code is clear, you don't overtake another vehicle to turn left, you hang back and wait for them to pass the exit.  It's very bad driving from a professional driver.

Thank goodness for this brave cyclist's lightening reflexes. Joking aside, this happens to me cycling all the time and I don't bat an eyelid. I'm not a vehicle and don't expect to be treated as such; I'm a chunk of meat on a skinny bike frame trying to stay out of the way of cars in order to not die.

HarrogateSpa wrote:

It's bad driving, and the car cut across the cyclist's path.

It isn't what I think of as a left hook, because the vehicle didn't hit the cyclist. I assume the phrase 'left hook' comes from the name of the punch in boxing. I would say the headline is misleading.

You actually have to get physically hit for it to count as a left hook?

Sorry, but that's utter balls.