Did I have enough space to reverse

It's easier to reverse into a space than drive in. Easier to drive out of a space than reverse out.

Don't rely on your sensors - they're not infallible.

@cardibach , Don't be so superior and condescending. Pot calling the kettle black.

theres a two way road behind your space so yes room to get out

Sensible drivers always reverse into parking spaces because it is always easier to maneuver out forwards rather than backwards. Unconfident drivers who shouldn't really be on the roads prefer to go into a space forwards and hope that nothing will happen to make skilful manoeuvring or a clear view necessary
This is utter bollocks. I’m a good and confident driver. My experience of driving since 1982 (no accidents) has led me to prefer going in forwards - and for some things (eg supermarket or IKEA trip) it’s essential. Dont be so superior and condescending

It's easier to get out forwards. But then you have to reverse in which takes me ages. Horses for courses.

I think the fact that you are asking that probably answers your question! I sympathise as I am a useless reverse parker so don't usually but yes it would be a lot easier to drive out. To answer your original question though, if the van was nearly all on the pavement yes the photo would suggest you had loads of room and I say that as someone with poor spatial awareness and who consequently drives a Fiat 500. But, it doesn't matter does it, being able to get in and out of parking spaces or not is not a moral failing!

Easier to see where you’re going to drive out as chances are when you’re reversing you have more space than you think but it doesn’t seem like it to you . I do this all the time , I think I’m really close to a car and when I get out there is loads of space behind me!

I don’t reverse park though 🤣

By the look of the picture , if he was parked just where the green dots are - not off the kerb and into the road - then definitely more than enough space , because if he wasn’t there then you likely wouldn’t go up the kerb when reversing. If he was in the road that’s different .

I’ve been driving since 1982. I’ve tried it. I prefer the opposite - mainly because people reversing in and holding me up piss me off while people reversing out wait until it’s clear so don’t inconvenience anyone else. And if your car manoeuvrability is a bit off it’s easier to reverse out where the precise position of your rear end doesn’t matter so much. I can reverse in. I prefer not to.

Loads of space.

As PP said, it's too with the pivot point of the car which is different for front wheel ir rear wheel drive cars. In a front wheel drive, manoeuvrability into tight spaces is better in reverse because the turning motion us generated by the front wheels. When driving forwards out of a bay in a fwd you can start to turn sooner than when reversing out.

OP, I used to get into a lot of situations like this and I would struggle to reverse out - either two large vehicles were now next to me, or something like what you describe. I find it hard to assess distances and always thought I was nearer than I was. Sometimes someone would guide me out if I needed it.

At some point it clicked that it's sensible to reverse into the bay, even though I still find it tricky - ultimately it's less stressful and safer than having the reverse out. Like you I didn't get why it was easier, until I did! Now I reverse in as much as possible, as a precaution, and for practice.

Also, parking sensors at the front and back - very good for confidence.

Even if the van was fully occupying the opposite ‘lane’, there is plenty of room to reverse out.

Looks enough, reverse park if its an issue.

Missed out image

Yes that is plenty of space. Turquoise shows path as you turn out, going nowhere near where the van was. In the event that you felt you were getting too close it would be fine to do a little shuffle backwards when you got to a 45° angle to get a bit more space. No problem. You would have felt more confident doing so and had less worries about what the corners of your vehicle were if you'd reversed in in the first place. Sensible drivers always reverse into parking spaces because it is always easier to maneuver out forwards rather than backwards. Unconfident drivers who shouldn't really be on the roads prefer to go into a space forwards and hope that nothing will happen to make skillfull maneuvering or a clear view necessary.

Enough space but a bit tight for my liking

Depends, were there cars parked either side of you?

Looks like loads of space tbh

Well yes, obviously 🙄

But you can start the turn sooner than if you are reversing out. Try it if you don’t believe me!

Depends on the size of your car and what direction you were reversing. Was the van over the single dash lines too? If not you should be able to reverse to your left toward the open gap and turn right. Reversing right would be tight especially with a big car.

There is space but I can see why you were concerned. It wouldn’t have looked like as much space over the bonnet of a large car and having anything blocking your vision can be nerve wracking

I really don't understand your diagram, you've marked as being in 3 spaces but you needed to reverse out so can't have been in a long vehicle parked sideways across them all?

And the green dots aren't even on the road, how would you get out of any other parking space - like in a supermarket with cars parked in the spaces the other side of the road, or if there was a wall there?

The visibility is the importance of reversing in. When you reverse into a space, the chances of a child being in that space are slim, so when you go out forwards you have full visibility. But reversing out, your chances of seeing a toddler are slim. I know you have parking sensors but they are not 100% reliable 100% of the time, so I prefer to rely on my own eyes.

ETA looks like plenty of room to me. Maybe practice reverse parking in a quiet area of a car park to get your confidence up.

oh dear.

Book a driving lesson to learn how and when to reverse park. Of course it makes a difference

Yes, enough room - it's nearly 2 lanes worth by the pic!!
And reverse parking is easier and it most certainly makes life easier when it comes to leaving again. I always reverse park.

If you turn sharply coming out forwards you’ll scrape the car next to you too.