Near Miss of the Day 73: Motorist passes cyclist so closely as to make contact (adult language ensues)

Oh great news. Thanks for updating us.

An update.  I kicked up a bit of fuss, as a result The Police reviewed and reversed their decision, and then did what they ought to have done in the first place.  

The other party has been offered the opportunity to attend and complete a Driver Awareness Course as an alternative to prosecution for careless driving.

Which I'm content with, as I wasn't injured.

If getting hit by a car isn't a valid reason to get a bit shouty and sweary, then I don't know what is.

I would also recommend that you contact Cycling UK and ask for their advice and assistance. I was at a conference only a month back and they told campaigners to get in touch about another issue, so go ahead. This needs to be made an example of

Seriously, raise a formal complaint with the Police Complaints Commission. You have nothing to loose.

Absolutely ridiculous response from the police.

If it was me I'd start a social media campaign to find the culprit.

If the road is wide with plenty of space to pass at that point isn't it the very place you should be in primary position?  If the roads narrow and taking primary would hold up other traffic then move to the side.  

As this wasn't a collision and assault includes the fear of violence or harm and as the driver chose to pass in that manner, isn't this incident an assault?

Just how much closer does it have to be?  Presumably there has to be a body before this police force will take action.

Sorry about the language, by the way.  I tend to be a bit shouty sometimes, and incidents like this provoke an almost inevitable reaction from me.

I ride up that road every day; there's absolutely no need to take primary, there is plenty of space for cars to pass safely - which is why this was so shocking.  If anything, primary would be an invitation to trouble, as it early would hold motorists up for no good reason.  I "auditioned" a few routes home, and that came out as by far the safest/easiest; the reverse of my ride in leaves me with two horrible junctions to negotiate instead, whereas Sutton Road goes exactly where I need it to.  It's only drawback is that it's the biggest hill this side of north Birmingham!

I have indeed suggested to the Police that they can manage without that part of my Council Tax next year if they're going to do chuff-all when I get hit. 

I've got a second close pass on video that was sent to the Police a couple of months earlier where a driver deliberately got very close so that his passenger was able to grab me.  The Police were unable to trace the driver.  Despite the fact that it was a private plate car, with the plate very obviously a reference to the driver's surname.

It's not been a very safe or comfortable experience commuting by bike this year.  I'm now convinced that the main purpose of my videos is to give my family some evidence to take to the solicitors when I'm seriously hurt or killed.  Because it's starting to feel like I'm on borrowed time, with absolutely nothing being done by the authorities to protect anyone who rides a bike

Well that's probably the first proper 'near miss' video on here - as in they nearly missed but just managed to hit the cyclist. 

I was wondering if the take primary position post would be here and it is.  The only problem with taking primary on this road is that there's a constant stream of oncoming cars, so no overtaking opportunities if one were to ride primary. That would infuriate everyone. I know it's a cyclists right to take primary but you have to consider everyone.

  I just wouldn't ride that road. Too narrow, too fast moving, too busy.  The path is huge and empty - shared use?

Edit: Looking a the map the bloke doesn't have much choice - shitty infrastrcuture.

cars coming the other way, lanes are narrow, should have been in 'primary'... make everybody overtake you correctly then... ride too close to the gutter and they think they can squeeze past...

sadly, this government don't want to spend money on proper protected infrastructure...

police can't be bothered to do their job properly? Must be waiting 'til they retire and can pick on MPs...

Wonder if the conclusion would have been the same if the cyclist had been the plod's(decision-maker's) brat?

Ask for a deduction in council tax or refuse to pay it if the police are not doing their job properly...

Another dereliction of duty on behalf of the police

Insufficient evidence? Words fail me. And this from West Midland Police??????