This video shows a British courier driver hitting a motorcycle from the rear while waiting to give way at an intersection, a typical rear-ender scenario for motorcycles.
https://youtu.be/yCM3loTtOXw
The problem is that the van driver may have seen the rider, but then turns his head to the right to look for oncoming traffic. He obviously doesn’t look in front again to see if the rider has moved off.
Instead, he expects the rider has moved off, so when he moves forward, he hits the bike.
It’s happened to me at a stop sign when a fellow rider rammed me from behind. We were in a queue of riders going around the corner. While looking to the right for oncoming traffic he assumed I had dribbled through the stop sign instead of coming to a full stop.
And now here is a new video, also in the UK, of exactly the same thing!
How to avoid rear-enders
There are a few things you can do to protect yourself at an intersection from motorists who don’t look.
Move your motorcycle as far left (or right in some countries) as possible at an intersection. This rider is fairly far left but just another few centimetres and he might have avoided the rear-ender.
While looking for approaching traffic at an intersection or roundabout, also keep your eye on your rear-view mirrors.
Remain in gear and if you see a motorist approaching from behind who has not seen you, get ready to let the clutch out.
You may not have to dangerously ride out into oncoming traffic to avoid the rear-ender if you are close to the kerb; you may be able to just slip safely around the corner.
Read more here about avoiding rear-enders.
Road rage driver
In this particular incident which happened in June last year, the careless DPD courier driver appeared unconcerned about the damage he caused to the learner’s bike.
He also seems to take offence at an eyewitness, kicking at him.
Furthermore, he seems to drive off, along with his colleague in a following DPD van, without supplying any insurance information.
Luckily the rider had a helmet camera to capture all the evidence he needs.
UPDATE: A spokesperson for DPD says the driver “was identified immediately and his contract with the company terminated on the spot”.