Drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on the road...

[zed0070]

Hi everyone,

I really could do with some advice please... I'll keep this short.

Few months ago I was driving my car and there was a cyclist riding in the middle of the road, after about 10 seconds he moved over to the left. I approached the roundabout and turned right and he did the same. After the roundabout I could here him mumbling something but couldn't make out what he was saying.

A few weeks later I received a notice of intended prosecution "drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on the road. I confirmed I was driving at the time and some images were attached. No way on the image did it look like I was close to him. I completed the form but sent a letter stating that I left ample room for the cyclist but if they believe I didn't then I do apologise. The letter did state I might be able to do a course, or will get a fine etc.

I received the letter today giving me 2 options accept £100 fine and 3 points or go to court. No mention of doing the course. I've never had to do a course before. I am gutted because I believe the cyclist was taking the piss and left plenty of room. I thought if I have to do the course then fair enough i'll do it but now after receiving the letter I don't have a choice for the course.

Has anyone had something similar but were able to do the course in the end? I've tried ringing the number on the letter but goes straight to the mailbox

Thanks

[Evanivitch]

How much space do you think you left?

The HWC states the distance of "1.5m" space "upto 30 mph", but over that really it should be almost the whole lane.

Always assume cyclists (and horse riders) have cameras. And everyone else for that matter.

[No ideas for a name]

I assume that the cyclist had a camera, otherwise it wouldn't have got this far.
I suspect the Police have seen that footage and decided to act.

[Evanivitch]

No ideas for a name said:

I assume that the cyclist had a camera, otherwise it wouldn't have got this far.
I suspect the Police have seen that and decided to act.

OP said there were images...

[No ideas for a name]

Evanivitch said:

No ideas for a name said:

I assume that the cyclist had a camera, otherwise it wouldn't have got this far.
I suspect the Police have seen that and decided to act.

OP said there were images...

That will teach me to not scan read things!

So, yes, someone has reviewed those and thinks there is a case.

[miniman]

Slight O/T but what should one do when passing a cyclist in a place like this? There’s a dedicated lane for cycling, does that indicate one shouldn’t need to leave any more space when passing them?

[zed0070]

I honestly can't remember if it was 1.5m but on one of the images my car is slightly on the other lane as I went past the cyclist and I mentioned this on the letter. To me its more like the cyclist wasn't on the left side of the road

[Evanivitch]

miniman said:

Slight O/T but what should one do when passing a cyclist in a place like this? There’s a dedicated lane for cycling, does that indicate one shouldn’t need to leave any more space when passing them?

Yes, the solid line is to show that cars must not use the lane. Motor vehicles must still provide vulnerable road users with sufficient spacing when passing.

[No ideas for a name]

miniman said:

Slight O/T but what should one do when passing a cyclist in a place like this? There’s a dedicated lane for cycling, does that indicate one shouldn’t need to leave any more space when passing them?

I would say, since the cyclist could be anywhere from against the double yellows on the left, to the solid white - or indeed perfectly okay to be to the right of the solid white, then a motorist should leave sufficient distance from the CYCLIST (i.e. not related to the size of the lane).

[zed0070]

Do I just accept the £100 fine and 3 points or is there anything I can do and find a way to do the course?

[No ideas for a name]

zed0070 said:

I honestly can't remember if it was 1.5m but on one of the images my car is slightly on the other lane as I went past the cyclist and I mentioned this on the letter. To me its more like the cyclist wasn't on the left side of the road

He/she doesn't have to be.
Not wishing to make this a pro-cyclist at all costs point of view - as the cyclist should be taking care too.

[Evanivitch]

zed0070 said:

I honestly can't remember if it was 1.5m but on one of the images my car is slightly on the other lane as I went past the cyclist and I mentioned this on the letter. To me its more like the cyclist wasn't on the left side of the road

Looks close to me.

[zed0070]

Just to clarify I'm not debating whether I made a mistake or not, yes I've screwed up and should have left more space for the cyclist. Is the reason for not giving me the option for a course because I left too less space? i.e. 1.2m? if it was 1.4m then they would have offered me to the course?

I'm wondering in the beginning of the letter they said it might be the course or fine. I confirmed I was the driver and attached a letter of apology but at the same time saying I believed I left enough room. For them now to offer £100 fine 3 points or go to court

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

Evanivitch said:

Looks close to me.

Looks to me like the cyclist is about 1m from the kerb (if that is a helmet cam), and thus somewhat blocking the road to the users behind. A driver would have to cross over the white lines to the other side of the road to allow enough space.

It looks like your bog standard vigilante cycle warrior making a point, and unfortunately the OP has copped one.

My sympathies to the OP, you've been mugged off. And yes you gotta pay the fine and take the points.

[outnumbered]

I know a few cyclists who submit videos to the police when they get passed uncomfortably closely, and (at least in Thames Valley) it's extremely rare for any of them to result in points for a driver. More often than not it's no action, then a letter of advice, or at most a course. So either the OP was unlucky and judged harshly by the assessor, or the video is actually a lot worse than he thinks.

[Dingu]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Looks to me like the cyclist is about 1m from the kerb (if that is a helmet cam), and thus somewhat blocking the road to the users behind. A driver would have to cross over the white lines to the other side of the road to allow enough space.

It looks like your bog standard vigilante cycle warrior making a point, and unfortunately the OP has copped one.

My sympathies to the OP, you've been mugged off. And yes you gotta pay the fine and take the points.

The cyclist doesn’t have to be hugging the kerb, yes you have to cross the line.

You are a bog standard car warrior in your post.

No I don’t cycle. I just have a brain.

[Silvanus]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Evanivitch said:

Looks close to me.

Looks to me like the cyclist is about 1m from the kerb (if that is a helmet cam), and thus somewhat blocking the road to the users behind. A driver would have to cross over the white lines to the other side of the road to allow enough space.

It looks like your bog standard vigilante cycle warrior making a point, and unfortunately the OP has copped one.

My sympathies to the OP, you've been mugged off. And yes you gotta pay the fine and take the points.

You aren't coming across very well here.

[Evanivitch]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

Evanivitch said:

Looks close to me.

Looks to me like the cyclist is about 1m from the kerb (if that is a helmet cam), and thus somewhat blocking the road to the users behind. A driver would have to cross over the white lines to the other side of the road to allow enough space.

It looks like your bog standard vigilante cycle warrior making a point, and unfortunately the OP has copped one.

My sympathies to the OP, you've been mugged off. And yes you gotta pay the fine and take the points.

You think 1m from the kerb is excessive

And yes, crossing the white line to pass is what is expected of a safe pass in most cases.

[Sheepshanks]

zed0070 said:

Few months ago.....

Exactly how long ago was it - I think there's something about courses having to be done within 4mths of the offence?

[zed0070]

Sheepshanks said:

Exactly how long ago was it - I think there's something about courses having to be done within 4mths of the offence?

The offence was in August 2024. I received the first letter in late August and replied immediately. 3rd week of September they sent the letter out stating I missed something out so I immediately completed the form again and sent it back and today received the one with 2 options