Was I on the wrong? (Knocking cyclist off bike)

[PapayaMarmalade]

I was driving in London this week, and paused to wait for a gap before I turned right off a single lane two way 20mph road.

As I turned, a lime bike came whizzing down the centre of the road from behind me on my right hand side - I didn’t see them and knocked them off. They were probably on the central dotted line or maybe slightly over on the wrong side of the road. They got up and sped off before I even had my wits together to pull over and check if they were okay.

It shook me up and I realise I should have rechecked my right hand mirror again before turning - I just wasn’t anticipating a cyclist overtaking me on my right hand side.

Whilst I should have been more careful to recheck my mirror, was I legally in the wrong?

Diagram attached hopefully

Any road user can overtake slower traffic subject to usual caveats/restrictions such as solid lines or signage. Offside overtaking is infinitely preferable to nearside even in city traffic and on a pedal bike.

Not, of itself, a dangerous manoeuvre.

Cyclist here likely failed to observe @PapayaMarmalade's indicator showing their intention to turn right, or thought they'd observed the bike and would cede to them.

None of that removes OP's liability.

Is not illegal for a cyclist (or motorbike) to overtake a slow moving or stationery car on the right hand side. They don’t have to undertake/cycling in the gutter. Yes, you should check your mirrors before you turn.

From Highway Code, Rule 180:

Wait until there is a safe gap between you and any oncoming vehicle. Watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists pedestrians and other road users. Check your mirrors and blind spot again to make sure you are not being overtaken, then make the turn.

OP, I would never think to check a wing mirror when turning right and indicating after being at a standstill. It's fairly obvious to anyone what I'm going to do. I hope the cyclist got a fright.

If you were indicating to turn right,then the cyclist was in the wrong.

So you hope by ignoring the instructions of the Highway Code, you will intimidate and frighten another road user?

That's reckless and dangerous behaviour. You shouldn't be on the road.

No. Read the Highway Code.

Yes you were in the wrong as it’s on you to check your mirrors and blind spot before turning.

But it’s very easily done and I have had a near miss myself.

It’s why so many motor bikes get into accidents and the stickers saying ‘Think Bike’ because unfortunately they assume you can see them easily.

I hope you’re both ok

Cyclist created their own lane / overtook at a junction - should not have done either.

You are not responsible for this accident.

The cyclist was in the wrong, they should not have tried to overtake a turning car and they knew it which is why they scarpered, in case they'd damaged your car 💐

Yes she is because she didn’t check her mirrors - which the Highway Code and law says you should do.

You would fail your driving test if you didn’t check your mirrors before manoeuvring.

You can see them easily if you are looking out for them!

Honestly, this thread is making me mad! So many people driving around who shouldn't be.

Incorrect. Please read the Highway Code / learn to drive.

See attached Highway Code.

Right but you are supposed to. So if you hit a cyclist or a motorbike, you’d be at fault. Your insurance wouldn’t cover the cost of damage to your car (a motorbike hitting your car side even at a relatively slow speed would be expensive!).

The onus is on the cyclist. I can’t imagine why the cyclist wouldn’t observe the possible risk in what they did. But then again, we’re talking about cyclists here. Not known for their critical thinking skills or consideration for anyone other than themselves.

So cyclists are allowed to go around a car waiting to turn right (even into the oncoming traffic lane) rather than staying left to go straight. Now that is dangerous road use. It's 31 years since I read the Highway code but I've never crashed or hit anyone.

This. They are the pests of the road. 🙄

Presumably you'd have looked around you and used your mirrors before moving off though no?

Got to say, as a regular cyclist, nothing many cyclists do today surprises me.
I wear a helmet, hi vis and have bike lights. I also like to bike on the road not the path, stop at red lights and use arm signals.
Sadly I am in a minority.

Yeah, that's the rules for vehicle drivers overtaking other vehicles, not cyclists.

Maybe read the sections for cyclists and for drivers making right turns.

In fact, maybe read all of it if you plan to get behind the wheel of a car...

Ignorance summa cum laude from some here saying the cyclist was at fault rather than OP.

Yes. Read the Highway Code.

And, of course, she might kill someone because she is not obeying the rules of the road...

Well no, the car got towed as it wasn’t drivable so I didn’t do anything about moving off.

I’m just saying “not anticipating” ≠ at fault