Dangerous RM Van Driver - advice please

[alfablue]

Dear all

Yesterday I was cycling up my street in Horfied, Bristol at about 5.20pm, it was dark and raining heavily. The street is twisty and has cars parked on both sides, leaving room for only one vehicle (vehicles have to wait to allow others to pass from the opposite direction).

I was aware of a vehicle revving loudly behind me, I glanced around an a RM Transit (or similar) van's bumper was 2 feet from my rear tyre, and he was hustling me to get by. He then passed me dangerously close, squeezing me towards the parked cars; I felt the draught of the close pass. I raised a (polite) hand to express that he should not have passed and to give me room. He gave me two fingers and drove off at high speed, swerving left and right up the road.

He was obviously frustrated and angry at having to slow for a cyclist, but he needs to realise that we need space between us and parked cars (if we cycle in the "door zone" sooner or later a parked car opens the door in your path). He also needs to realise the risk of running in to me should I make a mistake or skid (a risk increased by the wet weather).

I have looked on the RM web site but all complaints procedures focus on me as a customer and with customer service issues. How best can I make my complaint about this driving in a way that will get to the right (local) people to address this particular driver? I have the reg number.

Many thanks

[doorstepped]

I would go to your local delivery office and ask to speak to the manager.

tell him what happened and give him the reg number ( it may be that you have a different collection office, but the manager will know which depot the van belongs to and will be able to check who was driving at the time via the drivers log book ) and with any luck the culprit will be dealt with properly.

its knobs like him that give us all a bad name, I hope you get it sorted out.

[Postman Plodd]

May not be a local driver. anyone out and about at that time round here is from another depot doing collections.
EDIT: oops beaten to it

[Lounge Lizard]

I would go to your local delivery office and ask to speak to the manager.

tell him what happened and give him the reg number ( it may be that you have a different collection office, but the manager will know which depot the van belongs to and will be able to check who was driving at the time via the drivers log book ) and with any luck the culprit will be dealt with properly.

its knobs like him that give us all a bad name, I hope you get it sorted out.

Yes, the manager at Bristol North Delivery Office should have a good idea who it was there at that time and hopefully be able to ensure it doesn't happen again.

[DB1100]

You wouldn't believe what happened to me as I was driving my Transit back to the depot,I was approaching a really narrow part of the street when a cyclist came straight out in front of me with out looking,god knows how I missed them I had to brake sharply to avoid them,instead of saying sorry they gave me the finger I just managed to safely get past them as they were pedalling in the middle of the road,I am thinking of reporting them to the police,blimey what a day

[alfablue]

You wouldn't believe what happened to me as I was driving my Transit back to the depot,I was approaching a really narrow part of the street when a cyclist came straight out in front of me with out looking,god knows how I missed them I had to brake sharply to avoid them,instead of saying sorry they gave me the finger I just managed to safely get past them as they were pedalling in the middle of the road,I am thinking of reporting them to the police,blimey what a day

Very amusing

Should I bite? Well, I do have difficulty in seeing the funny side . . .

I value my life, I don't pull out without looking. In any event we were both going in the same direction and the van driver caught me up. I am a van owner/driver myself, so I know about driving these vehicles (I just choose to cycle whenever possible to do my bit for the planet).

Thanks for the advice guys, I have managed to get a response via the RM twitter, and they are talking to local managers so I am happy that it is being looked into.I have had many experiences of extremely courteous and patient RM drivers locally, and I agree it is a shame that one bad example threatens to unfairly tar you all with the same brush, a bit like cyclists really (only cyclist bad behaviour tends to be less risky to others than to themselves).

[alfablue]

more details and pictures here

[andy2007]

I'm glad to hear that they're looking into it for you. And I'm also glad to hear that you weren't hurt. I used to do a lot of cycling myself, but gave it up due to the roads getting so much more dangerous for cyclists. They will definately be able to track down the driver, because as Doorstepped has already said: They can check the Log Book for the van.

Thankfully, the vast majority of RM drivers are very good at what they do. But sadly, as with any other large group of people. There are a few idiots, who let the side down.

[southcoast_postie]

You wouldn't believe what happened to me as I was driving my Transit back to the depot,I was approaching a really narrow part of the street when a cyclist came straight out in front of me with out looking,god knows how I missed them I had to brake sharply to avoid them,instead of saying sorry they gave me the finger I just managed to safely get past them as they were pedalling in the middle of the road,I am thinking of reporting them to the police,blimey what a day

Seeing more than 1 ( A cyclist ..... then God knows how I missed THEM) , think you need to take your test again lol.... funny how the one's in the wrong have to have a chirp hey

[Cheetah]

You wouldn't believe what happened to me as I was driving my Transit back to the depot,I was approaching a really narrow part of the street when a cyclist came straight out in front of me with out looking,god knows how I missed them I had to brake sharply to avoid them,instead of saying sorry they gave me the finger I just managed to safely get past them as they were pedalling in the middle of the road,I am thinking of reporting them to the police,blimey what a day

Not help full there is a place on the forum for jokes

[bitchface]

There are always three points to a story,yours theres and the truth.Well pointed out by db

first i really hate the term customer,this person is not a customer in this situation.they havve not just purchased a stamp and entered a contract with royal mail.This person is a member of the public.

Also if you think the driver did something illegal you should report the incident to the police .
You come across to me as just wanting to be vindictive because you didnt want to give way.(impedeing the flow of traffic is an offence)
You probably know he has broken no traffic laws but you want to try get him in trouble with his employer .

if you want to mess with a man livelyhood i suggest it not be a postman.they know where you live.

[DB1100]

You wouldn't believe what happened to me as I was driving my Transit back to the depot,I was approaching a really narrow part of the street when a cyclist came straight out in front of me with out looking,god knows how I missed them I had to brake sharply to avoid them,instead of saying sorry they gave me the finger I just managed to safely get past them as they were pedalling in the middle of the road,I am thinking of reporting them to the police,blimey what a day

Not help full there is a place on the forum for jokes

Its not a joke,it could be the drivers side of the story.

[DB1100]

You wouldn't believe what happened to me as I was driving my Transit back to the depot,I was approaching a really narrow part of the street when a cyclist came straight out in front of me with out looking,god knows how I missed them I had to brake sharply to avoid them,instead of saying sorry they gave me the finger I just managed to safely get past them as they were pedalling in the middle of the road,I am thinking of reporting them to the police,blimey what a day

Seeing more than 1 ( A cyclist ..... then God knows how I missed THEM) , think you need to take your test again lol.... funny how the one's in the wrong have to have a chirp hey

Put down your glue bag and try and make sense,them when used in that context can mean one person and as for your last statement I am at a loss to understand that so be a good chap and bother somebody else.