SERVICES RENDERED

Businesses rely on Transport Companies to deliver their incoming or outgoing products more and more these days . How do they feel when a cyclist arrives on their premises following the delivery vehicle ? How do they feel when that Cyclist asks them to call the Police or the Company responsible for that Vehicle ?

Usually they don’t want to be involved but they want to know the circumstances . It is a catch 22 situation , curiosity and the desire not to get involved ! Too often they reluctantly will reveal the name of the owner of the vehicle or company involved in the transaction . Usually the driver will have their version of the events leading the cyclist to pursue them . Most often they will try to laugh off the incident as beneath consideration or their time to discuss what took place .

Drivers need to understand that they are responsible for their actions and Cyclists would do well to not let dangerous behaviour pass . Many times a delivery vehicle is only going a short distance before they will stop to continue their business . Involving the aid of a third party will put that driver on the defensive but more importantly it will serve to remind the driver that they are responsible for their employers’ reputation . The Employer is not going to be too happy to have their client ringing them , to advise , they were asked to call the Police for behaviour that took place on the way to the client ?

Rarely will the Police or other Authority attend when requested as there is no injury or damage but I have had occasions when reporting to the client , the drivers’ behaviours , that driver has gone to the Police to put their version of the incident ! Of course , they are still not interested as “ no harm done “ tends to be their attitude , since they were not there to see the event .

Not every cyclist has the time or inclination to follow up an incident , whether armed with righteous indignation or a Helmet Camera , but it would be better to calmly voice the complaint rather than spew a mouthful of abuse at the driver . Abusing the driver puts you at a level below their ignorance and can even assist their inconsiderate attitude !

Helmet Cameras are a great way of assisting recollection of an incident but too often the user , because they are aggrieved , spoil the benefits with ill considered language . Reading a London based , Cyclist’s Blog recently , I saw so many comments from non cyclists winding up the Cyclists . It seems there are those out there that deliberately endanger Cyclists safety , and then look for Blogs so as to brag about their pathetic attitudes and behaviour ! Blog owners would do well to either ignore or delete their contributions !