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

What the cyclist did was illegal and a very dick move.
It’s no surprise they got up and quickly scarpered off. Probably embarrassed.

Yes you were in the wrong. You turned right and hit an overtaking vehicle, irrespective of the fact it's a bicycle.

Not anticipating the legal actions of another road user (e.g. a cyclist using the road correctly) is rather different to not anticipating another car crashing into you!

No. Incorrect.

One that sees that a) the indicator probably wasn't on cos no fucker indicates these days b) the vehicle was stationary and waiting for a gap in on coming traffic which wasn't there c) as an ex motor claims fraud manager, it makes no difference she turned without checking it was safe to do so

No it wasn't.

Because you do not know how/why they ended up there.

Did the OP indicate one blink and turn - could the cyclist see they were indicating, depending on the sunlight, type of vehicle, whether lights are functioning correctly it is possible to miss indicators ...

The cyclist MIGHT have been an idiot, knowingly overtaking a vehicle about to turn right. Or perhaps they made a mistake, or were taking evasive action to avoid getting squashed by something else..

As the driver of the heavier, more lethal vehicle, OP's responsibility is to assume the correct lane position AND indicate (which is not a 'blink and here I come' situation, indicating does not immediately give you any priority or 'right of way') AND check that it is safe to proceed.

OP failed in the latter part of that responsibility, not checking to see if it was safe to proceed.

It isn't OK to potentially kill another road user based on 'well they're an idiot' and your role as driver of a vehicle is not to punish other road users for being idiots.

If the bike rider and OP have relevant dash cams it might have gone 50/50, or it might be the OP is entirely at fault (perhaps she wasn't indicating as long as she thought, what if the bike rider has evidence that the OP's indicator wasn't flashing at all?)

As it is, I'd report to the police, and ask what you should do given the victim here fled the scene before it was possible to speak to them.

Yes I always check my wing mirror before I turn, but I suspect a Lime bike would be coming up much faster than you'd expect.

A friend who is a driving instructor says people never appear out of nowhere.

But they do!

Cyclists should not try to pass someone who's indicating to turn (and that includes left too). I don't think it was your fault OP.

"Unrealistically high standards" = not driving into cyclists? WTF?

Yes it was. I hope you don't try to overtake people who are indicating to turn in a car. It isn't any different. If someone is indicating to turn you wait behind them unless you can pass safely on the other side.

It was a Lime bike, not an ordinary one. There should be a compulsory bikeability test before you are allowed to ride one.

The cyclist rode into the OP! I actually came onto the thread to say if you hit a cyclist it's your fault but not in this case.

Good grief!

It's a Lime bike, not a rocket! It's being ridden, not teleported! Of course it hasn't appeared from nowhere! You just haven't looked properly!

Seriously, you shouldn't be on the road!

I was indicating and waiting slightly towards the centre of the road. I think it was very clear I was planning to turn.

Yes, this and only this. Possibly also driving without due care and attention. The onus is 100% on you to check before you make
the manoeuvre.

If the cyclist rode into the OP, it's because the OP cut across them! Read the Highway Code. Section 80.

Don't see why. Everything single she said was correct

And..?

Your plan to turn has to take into account whether or not someone is coming on your outside!

Have you checked your indicators are working?

Incorrect.

Cyclists are perfectly in the right to pass a stationary car, either on the left or right. Read the Highway Code.

You were in the wrong. You turned right when a bike was passing, end of.

One issue with the public bikes is many people aren’t proficient cyclists and have limited awareness of the Highway Code. In cities like London, many are also tourists so unaware of the rules and road layouts. You get a lot of tourists larking about on them and it’s dangerous.

Another issue is that lots of car drivers don't understand the Highways Code either, as this thread confirms.

Overtaking a vehicle turning right ( on the right) is incredibly stupid

Cycles do appear from nowhere. They ride on pavements and come back on to the road between parked cars. They come out from side streets without looking.
My sister was knocked over by a cycle in Oxford Street. The cyclist had decided to undertake a bus on he left hand side and went into a load of passengers who were getting off the bus at the bus stop! Instead of braking hard, the cyclist pushed all the passengers over with one hand. My sister ended up being knocked over and have oily cycle chain marks on her new silk dress. She was on her way to a birthday party.

I wonder how many of you blaming the cyclist turn left across them.