A court has heard that a 29 year-old cyclist who caused a car to swerve into the lane of oncoming traffic to avoid him, ‘should complete a cycle competency course.’
Babu Shankar appeared before Magherafelt Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with cycling without due care and attention.
The court was told that on June 11, police were alerted to a cyclist who pulled out in front of a car at the junction of Glenmaquil Road and Tobermore Road, Magherafelt.
The driver of the car told police that the cyclist had failed to stop and caused him to swerve into the oncoming lane to prevent colliding with him.
The defendant was identified and when questioned about the incident he told police that ‘cyclists didn’t have to stop at junctions.’
A police officer investigating the case, suggested that the defendant should complete a cycle competency course, the court heard.
Representing himself, Shankar told court that as he emerged from the junction, ‘he kept to the left so not to cause a hazard’ but he then admitted that he was a ‘little careless.’
District Judge Alan White fined the defendant £40 but said ordering him to compete a cycle competency course was ‘not possible.’
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