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Cyclist's fury over brush with a tram
A CYCLIST has accused Supertram drivers of dangerous driving after he says he was almost knocked off his bike while riding alongside tram tracks.
Ian Atkinson, aged 30, of Alnwick Road, Intake, is demanding an inquiry after he claims a Supertram brushed past him while he was on his bicycle at Manor Top.
He says the tram rang its warning bell once but still kept on coming - and despite his frantic efforts he wasn't able to get out of the way in time.
Mr Atkinson insists the driver must have seen him and could have braked but didn't.
Now he wants an investigation to prevent a similar incident happening again.
But Supertram bosses insist that while the tram was close it did not collide with him.
Mr Atkinson said: "I was riding up City Road where the tram tracks are in the middle of the road. As the tram tracks veered back towards the edge of the road the tram came up behind me and sideswiped me.
"The first and second carriage were actually brushing into me as I tried to keep my balance. I couldn't believe how dangerous the driver was being. They think that just because they are so big that everyone is going to shift for them. I didn't actually lose my balance, but I certainly could have done.
But a spokeswoman for Supertram said CCTV footage showed the tram "was not actually in collision" with Mr Atkinson. She said: "As the tram approaches, the cyclist is in the start of the chevron area and must be fully aware that the road space is about to narrow.
"The cyclist can be clearly seen through the front and rear cameras as well as through the side windows of the tram. As it passes there is no indication that the cyclist is in collision with the tram."
She added that by slowing down a little Mr Atkinson would have kept well within the chevron area and away from the tram. "I would anticipate that the tram driver gave due warning of his approach," added the spokeswoman. We meet throughout the year with one of the main cycling organisations in Sheffield and are well aware of the issues that cyclists face in the wake of an oncoming tram."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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