I was cycling along London Road in Devizes towards work. I was in the cycle lane to the left of the carriageway, separated from the main traffic by a white line and green paint on the road.
My JoystickMaxx was flashing and when I am overtaking a lot of cars in the inside lane it is very effective. I know when the cars have seen me as they move out of the cycle lane or move over, even further away from it. The lorries are really good too as they move just enough so they are not on the white line. They actually can't move over any more as they would then block a lorry approaching in the opposite direction.
Of late due to the roadworks in the town I generally pass a long queue of traffic whilst on this cycle lane.
I knew the van hadn't seen me on the inside when he suddenly came into the cycle lane. He kept coming. I banged on the side. No joy. He moved off and went back into the main queue and then drove off.
I set off by this time ticking. If I had not been alert then I would have been off.
I caught up with the van, yes it was white, at the next roundabout as he was caught in traffic. I pulled along side, ID out and said politely but with a no nonsense voice "Pull over there, I want to have a word with you" and showed my badge and then moved in front and pointed at the driver and then pointed where I wanted him to go. I then cycled to the spot and waited.
He followed.
There were three men in the van. I knew this when I spoke in via the open passenger window. I think surprise was what made them comply with my wishes. That and the badge.
This was all happening in seconds and I followed up the momentum with a very short but polite explanation about the need for the driver to pay attention and especially be aware of cyclists using the cycle lane. He passed the attitude test with flying colours, they all did.
Perhaps it was the cannabis smoke in the cab?
I then said goodbye and went on my way.
A few miles later and after another queue and then a moving queue due to a JCB and bus that couldn't overtake it, the same van turned left in front of me after following me down Caen Hill.
The passenger put his thumb out the window in a
mode so I waved.
Job done.
