Rider's brush with a white van man

It is no good encouraging cycling in Worthing unless the attitudes of many vehicle drivers can be changed.

That is the view of a cycling mum who is still suffering the after-effects of being knocked from her machine by a white van.

The accident occurred in Brougham Road at about 5pm on February 4 when Samantha Curran, aged 27, of Maybridge Square, Goring, was cycling home from work in Lancing.

Samantha was struck by the Bedford van after it had emerged from Archibald Road and was pulling away after waiting in the centre of Brougham Road.

Although Samantha's bike had lights, the van driver told her afterwards that he did not see her. The van dragged Samantha and her bike along the ground for several yards before stopping.

Samantha suffered leg and back injuries and her cycle needs repairs costing nearly £200.

The driver said he thought he had hit a shopping trolley. He took Samantha and her bike home and gave her an address and telephone number, both of which proved to be false.

He made off while Samantha's husband Alan was telephoning the police.

"It took the police three days to come and see me," Samantha told the Guardian, "but they did apologise afterwards for the delay.

"The council wants more people to use their bikes but this sort of thing does not encourage cycling," said Samantha.