Near miss for cyclist featured on UK website

Tuesday 07 August 2018

An incident which caused a cyclists to have a broken finger after a car overtook him very closely has been featured as the 'near miss of the day' on a popular UK cycling website.

The incident took place on a Ruette Tranquille - one of the network of lanes on the island with a recommended speed limit of 15mph on which pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders have "priority" over motor vehicles.

Alex Margison, posted the video after the incident happened on his cycle home from work in February. He said: "Despite being over this recommended speed limit myself, the driver clearly had a serious case of MGIF (must get in front) that could only be cured by trying to run me off the road and then threatening me in the street because I’d made him hit the hedge as he tried to squeeze by me. Luckily a guy overheard them and came out of his house and coaxed them away from me.”

Mr Margison said the dooring left him with a broken finger, but he was pleased his bike was not damaged. After being treated at A&E, he went to the police station that evening to make a complaint and provided them with a copy of the video footage.

The close encounter and verbal exchange after has now been seen by over 15,000 users and has had a strong reaction of support from the cycling community.

But Guernsey Police dropped the matter after what was a thorough investigation - it said while a video could make a case look "open and shut", this was "not as straightforward as it may seem".

The UK report and the video can be seen here.

Guernsey Police issued Express with a statement regarding the incident: "Officers fully investigated the incident and following the consideration of all evidence, including witness statements, interviews and actions occurring off-camera, and liaison with the Criminal Justice Unit, a decision was taken that the matter would not be pursued further.

"In general terms while we appreciate that footage captured of such incidents can give an impression of an “open and shut case”, as it were, investigating such matters and securing prosecutions is often not as straight forward as it may seem. Once all evidence has been considered, which often includes claims that are disputed by the various parties involved, a decision will be based on whether the evidential threshold is likely to be met. We understand and appreciate that those involved in such incidents may not be happy with the decision taken, but we have a duty to make those decisions based on all the evidence available to us.

"Guernsey Police take road safety very seriously and work closely with the Guernsey Bicycle Group to promote the need for all road users to treat each other with respect and courtesy. We are committed to continuing that work."

Guernsey Bicycle Group have been actively promoting safe over taking distances this year and have an ongoing campaign in conjunction with the Guernsey Police in relation to staying wider for the rider.

Pictured: Joint campaign illustration of safe overtaking distances

A spokesperson for the group said: "Guernsey Bicycle Group are actively engaged with the Police and the rider involved in this incident. GBG are very concerned about this serious incident of a close pass on a rider on a Ruette Tranquille, where bicycles and pedestrians have priority. The video footage shows a driver squeezing past the rider about a foot away from the bike, immediately stopping in front of them, opening the vehicle door on the rider which hit rider breaking a bone in the riders hand and aggressively verbally abusing the rider."

They continued: "From GBG’s understanding there has been poor engagement from the Police in investigating this matter. The lack of action on this matter appears to send the message to bike riders that poor driving standards and aggressive behaviour towards bicycles is tolerated on our roads, and we encourage the Police to investigate this matter further.

"This also serves to highlight the need for dedicated cycle and pedestrian infrastructure on Guernsey if there is to be an increase in the rates of children and adults riding or walking as a means of transport."