City investor, 53, slams Met police for failing to prosecute van driver who crashed into his £10,000 bike in a cycle lane despite CCTV footage of the collision which left him with serious injuries

  • Matt Cooper was hit by a van turning right in west London in September
  • The City investor was told there would be no prosecution without witnesses
  • He has unearthed CCTV footage of the crash but police have still refused to act 

A cyclist who was badly injured after being knocked off his £10,000 bike by a van turning right has criticised the Met police for failing to prosecute the driver.

City investor Matt Cooper, 53, who was taken to hospital after the collision in September, was initially told that there could be no prosecution without witnesses.

But then when he unearthed CCTV footage showing the moment of impact, the police still refused to act.

CCTV footage shows a van driver turning right and failing to see City investor Matt Cooper in a cycle line

CCTV footage shows a van driver turning right and failing to see City investor Matt Cooper in a cycle line

'I think decisions like this leave cyclists that bit less safe on the road,' said Mr Cooper. 'I was in a cycle lane and was going straight and the driver crashed into me as he turned right.'

The crash comes after 40 seconds of the CCTV footage. Traffic has momentarily slowed down on the New Kings Road, west London at the junction with Peterborough Road.

It appears as though the larger white van heading west sits back to allow the smaller white van to complete the turn into Peterborough Road.

But the van has completely forgotten that in making the turn he is crossing a cycle lane and crashes into Mr Cooper who is cycling along at a speed of about 20mph.

Mr Cooper was taken to hospital after the collision in September, and was initially told that there could be no prosecution without witnesses

Mr Cooper was taken to hospital after the collision in September, and was initially told that there could be no prosecution without witnesses

The footage shows the van turning when has momentarily slowed down on the New Kings Road, west London at the junction with Peterborough Road

The footage shows the van turning when has momentarily slowed down on the New Kings Road, west London at the junction with Peterborough Road

It appears as though the larger white van heading west sits back to allow the smaller white van to complete the turn into Peterborough Road

It appears as though the larger white van heading west sits back to allow the smaller white van to complete the turn into Peterborough Road

The footage shows Mr Cooper writhing in agony on the floor as a passer-by rushes to his aid. The van driver is seen getting out of his vehicle but there is no audio.

Mr Cooper, from Notting Hill, who was going to meet friends for a ride in the Surrey countryside, said: 'My bike was in pieces. I was writhing around on the ground in agony and the driver gets out and starts shouting about 'f***ing cyclists'.

'I had to go to hospital with a shoulder separation that has so far required me to see physios, osteopaths and may lead to an operation. I am told that it will inevitably cause arthritis.

'I am really disappointed in the police. Their initial response was that they wouldn't be able to do anything without witnesses but I contacted the pub on the corner and got hold of the CCTV.

The footage shows Mr Cooper writhing in agony on the floor as a passer-by rushes to his aid

The footage shows Mr Cooper writhing in agony on the floor as a passer-by rushes to his aid

The cyclist from Notting Hill was going to meet friends for a ride in the Surrey countryside

The cyclist from Notting Hill was going to meet friends for a ride in the Surrey countryside

'The footage clearly shows that he is crossing a cycle lane that happens to have a cyclist in it who he knocks over. To me it is obviously careless driving but the police have told me they are still not prepared to act.

'They should be making it clear that all road users have equal rights and that is not how this feels.'

A letter sent to Mr Cooper from the Collision Investigations and Prosecution Team stated: 'As there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction, it has been decided to take no further action in respect of this matter.'

Mr Cooper, who is originally from New Jersey, said that he was still unable to cycle comfortably due to the pain from the injury last September.

But he will be pursuing the other driver through their insurance.

'It will be a big claim,' he said. 'My bike was worth £10,000 and so far the claim would be for about £30,000 when my medical expenses are taken into account.'

Mr Cooper, who is originally from New Jersey, said that he was still unable to cycle comfortably due to the pain from the injury last September

Mr Cooper, who is originally from New Jersey, said that he was still unable to cycle comfortably due to the pain from the injury last September

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: 'Police investigated the circumstances of a collision involving a cyclist and a van in New Kings Road, SW3 that occurred on Saturday, 26 September 2020. The cyclist was injured as a result of this collision. 

'This investigation included the examination of CCTV as well as speaking to both parties involved. Following an analysis of all the information available, a decision was taken that there was insufficient evidence to prove any driving offences had been committed.'